Care Conversations 15 – Clarity, Correction, Conclusion
A school and each classroom, just like any other community, must have structure and order so that it may function well, encourage the desired shalom, and fulfill the educational purpose. All classroom members contribute to this desired harmony, but educators must exercise their authority in bringing this about.
It has become common to label educators as facilitators; facilitating is part of a teacher’s role, but the responsibilities of a teacher go beyond this.
To some, being a facilitator can suggest that the teacher has a background role and is a passive bystander who simply steps in when assistance is required. We need to remind ourselves that we exist to change lives.
A disciplined classroom environment will include all the factors, attitudes and purposes that we have mentioned so far.
A positive disciplined tone enables and supports learning and relational harmony. There will be a need for instruction, reflection, collaboration, respectful questioning, opportunities to struggle, to persevere, to critique and so on. There will sometimes be the need for correction when harmony is disrupted or where a person’s actions have adverse effects or contribute to a reduction in the security of a healthy learning environment.
We need to have a considered and holistic approach to discipline. It might look something like this:
Firstly, there is a need for Clarity. What is the positive environment that we desire? What does this look like? What are some of the boundaries that we need to put in place to ensure harmony and a respectful space for development?
Secondly, there needs to be an understood process for Correction. What happens when harmony is disrupted? How are wrong attitudes and behaviours to be dealt with?
Thirdly, we need to understand the desired Conclusion. We are always looking for resolution so that harmony may be restored. How do we encourage repentance and reconciliation? How can we focus upon restoration?
Let us explore these things a little more deeply.
Blessings,
Brian