Thursday, 22 October 2015

Relationship-Based Teaching

Whilst you read this you may wonder why I get so excited, enthused and indeed emotional when I talk about teaching. That is because I believe knowledge is one of the best gifts you can give to another human being.

At fifteen years of age, I was tired of teachers endlessly alphabetising, colour-coding, PowerPointing or otherwise complicating their lessons. I particularly began to excel at learning when I was around seventeen because of one simple reason: Relationship-based teaching.

One day a teacher walked into the classroom, sat down and began to talk. Just talk. No fancy video or Powerpoint. Simple, good old fashioned communication from one human being to another. I began to learn what made that person tick. I understood their life values. I realised that this person had something of worth that they could teach me. I loved the simple act of laughing with my teachers as I grew to understand their sense of humour.
I have been teaching for eight years. I’ve seen children come into my classroom and tell me they want to take their first piano exam. Imagine that! Children actually WANTING to do an exam! This is because I have come to use relationship-based teaching within my own lessons.

In the twenty-first century, it is easy to get caught up with trying to include all the latest technologies in our lessons. I won't be ignorant and suggest that technology has no place in the classroom. In moderation, technology can be powerful but let us not abandon our belief in the power of human relationships to facilitate effective learning. Teaching happens when the learner is inspired and we, as teachers, have to ignite that passion.

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