Enhancing School Identity

Let Children Write the Rules They’ll Live By School rules should never be something imposed upon children by teachers or administrators. When we create and enforce them on behalf of the students, we rob them of one of the most important opportunities education has to offer: the chance to take responsibility for their own actions and decisions. Instead, the conversation should begin with a simple but profound question posed to the class: “When people talk about our class in the street, what would you like them to say about who we are?” The answers are always beautiful. Children say things like: • “We want them to say we’re kind.” • “We want them to say we’re brave.” • “We want them to say we’re good friends.” These statements are not rules — they are values. They become the foundation of a shared identity. - From Values to Action Once the children have defined who they want to be, the next step is to guide them towards action. We ask: “If we want people to say those things about us, what actions do we need to take to make sure they see that?” The answers come quickly: • “We’re always kind to other people and living things.” • “We try new things and we’re not scared of failing.” • “We don’t gossip or use unkind words.” At this point, the children are no longer following a list of arbitrary rules created by adults — they are writing their own constitution. They are deciding how they want to be represented and how they will hold themselves accountable. - Internal Policing and Real Responsibility When students are the authors of their classroom agreements, something powerful happens: we no longer need to police behaviour. The responsibility has shifted. The children monitor themselves and each other, not because they fear punishment, but because they care about staying true to the identity they chose. And there’s another essential step: we, the adults, must live by these same values. If the children commit to kindness, so must we. If they promise to avoid gossip, we too must model that behaviour. This consistency builds trust and creates a culture of equality, permanence, and fairness. - A Strategy That Calms the Storm If you’re a teacher or school leader struggling with behavioural challenges, I promise you this: try this approach. Hand over the reins of rule-making to the children. Let them decide who they want to be, how they will show it, and how they’ll hold each other accountable. When students are given that kind of agency, the classroom climate transforms. Conflict reduces, cooperation increases, and your learning environment becomes a community — one defined not by rules, but by shared values that everyone truly believes in. #Education #Montessori #School #Children

Leadership Insights with Dr. Paul Teys - evaluating culture. Newly appointed principals often step into their roles with a critical mandate - to assess and transform the school's culture. This challenge, while daunting, is pivotal for fostering an environment where students thrive academically and emotionally and where staff feel supported and valued. Evaluating School Culture. Understanding a school's culture is no small feat. It requires a nuanced, methodical approach to peel back the complex layers contributing to a positive learning environment. There are three key strategies a principal can use: 1.     Comprehensive surveys - surveys stand out as a powerful tool for capturing the sentiments of students, staff, and parents. By covering a spectrum of topics—from learning attitudes to the sense of community—these surveys provide invaluable data. This feedback is crucial for pinpointing strengths and diagnosing areas ripe for improvement. 2.     Focus Groups. For a deeper analysis of the school's cultural dynamics, focus groups are excellent. These discussions can unearth insights into intricate issues like student-teacher relationships or the effects of recent changes, offering a qualitative counterbalance to survey data. 3.     Classroom Observations. To grasp the day-to-day realities that shape the school's climate, classroom observations are effective; this lens into the learning environment reveals much about teaching practices, student engagement, and the overall academic climate. For educational leaders, the task of evaluating and enhancing school culture is both a challenge and an opportunity. It's about building a foundation that supports every student's success and fosters a community where educators and students alike feel valued and inspired. #principals #culture #schoolclimate #aspiringprincipals #educationalleaders

The Teacher as Storyteller – How Educators Can Use Storytelling to Shape Identity and Belonging In every classroom, teachers wear many hats, mentor, guide, facilitator. But one of the most powerful roles they can embrace is that of storyteller. A teacher’s story can spark imagination, foster connection, and shape a student’s sense of who they are within their culture and community. When a teacher shares stories of national heritage, personal experiences, or local heroes, they’re doing more than delivering content, they’re cultivating belonging. In the context of national identity, storytelling becomes a tool of empowerment. A well-told story can make students feel part of something bigger: the story of their country, their people, their place in history. It reminds them that they are not passive observers, but active participants in the national narrative. What makes a great educational storyteller? Authenticity: Sharing real experiences, even humble ones, helps students relate. Cultural connection: Weaving in local traditions, dialects, and values brings lessons to life. Interactive storytelling: Inviting students to continue the story, add their voice, or act it out deepens engagement. In the UAE, where the National Identity Mark symbolizes unity, strength, and pride, the teacher can make these values tangible. Through storytelling, abstract ideals become lived values. Imagine a teacher beginning a lesson on unity with a personal story of how their family came together from different emirates. Or sharing the journey of a historical figure who overcame adversity to help build the nation. These aren’t just lessons, they’re seeds of identity, planted with purpose. Why it matters: A nation’s future sits in every classroom. When a teacher tells the story of the nation with heart, students begin to write themselves into it, with pride, with purpose, and with belonging.