There is a lot of violence in our schools…actually, in our whole culture.
So what can we do about it? I am trying to think of situations in which the peacekeeper is the winner…the hero…the one that the kid wants to grow up to be.
Even our fictional heros are incredibly violent: Spiderman, Batman, Superman…strength seems to be a key factor in a desirable role model.
Something to think about.
The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to 95 individuals and 20 organisations since 1901. Funny how most people have never even heard of them.
We talk about the problems with youth and often attribute these problems to a lack of adequate role models. But there is a diverse and multi cultural selection of people on the peace prize list.
Rarely do we hear kids talk about such accomplishments. Could it be because we don’t mention them enough?
Mission: to find as many peace awards and role models as possible.
Having tutored all are ranges and abilities and having taught in schools, you realise the the trials and tribulations that are faced by young people.
As a teacher, you must navigate your way through a variety of elements in the classroom. You must cater for the talented and exceptionally able, you must engage the bored and unimaginative, you must encourage and coach the less able – and you must do this with minimal resources, often with low parental support and poor understanding from management who are far removed from the classroom and often fail to understand the students in the way the teacher does.
However, navigating these elements is easy. If you have passion for your subject and passion for learning, it can be done.
But the social backdrp is one hurdle where we, teachers and parents combined, are failing to navigate and conquer. Textbooks and pens are losing the battle against pop stars and glamourised images of crime. Computer games are winning young people faster than career aspirations, football matches are beating the petri dish and bunsen burner. Rap music is defeating the poem and movies are thrashing the books.
The battle for the minds of our youngsters has begun, and the positive elements are not changing and adapting to this landscape. We must take on new methods – not only in schools, but in society as a whole if we are to keep our young people from aspiring to false models. We cannot prevent youngsters from seeking fun and amusement. However what we can do is present alternatives in a more positive light.
After all, careers aren’t textbooks , so why present them in that way?
There is a way to present positive aspiration in an appealing light. And we are going to do it.
