Your Student of the Year Could Be Anyone

We start each year as educators with our unintentional stereotypical categories for each of our new students. We don't want to think this way. It is not our aim or our mindset. But it is what happens.

How do we classify the student renown for skipping class, swearing like a trooper, and starting fist fights? What labels do we unintentionally give to the student who breaks into the school and trashes your classroom? The primary student who spends their evenings roaming the streets with their high school mates, known by name to the local constables. The student in your class living in foster care. Does this student fit the "student of the year" category in your mind?

My guess is no. But why can't they?

The answer is, they can. I have seen it happen.

The title of this Blog is Student of the Year.

It is based on a story of one student who did become just that.
As I sat in meetings about this child with the local principals, welfare officers and police liaison officers, I would have thought not.

But, for each child, despite their background. Despite their trauma. Despite their current living situations, there is hope. Hope for a future and a tomorrow.
Hope that can grow in our classrooms and our schools.
Hope that springs from a trauma informed perspective that can change lives.

This is the philosophy and the back story to Student of the Year.

I hope that through here, you, as educators can grow in your knowledge of childhood trauma. You can grow in your understanding of how it impacts in the classroom and in learning.
That you can see a child differently thorough this space. You can see their future. A hope beyond their past.

At the moment, most things I post will be on the Facebook Page...jump over and join. As time (and energy) permits. I will post more things in here.

Please come with me on this journey. May we see a classload of Student's of the Year.