Patrick S. T. Blois

“…I endeavoured from then on to clear a space for my students, an empty space, whereby they can create and make meaning out of their own understanding.” 

- John Hunter, TED2011 conference, session 12: Only If. If Only, March 4th 2011

 

Before attending the opening night for the Projecting Change Film Festival 2012 in Vancouver, British Columbia, I did not know of John Hunter or his world peace game.  In the span of an hour and a half, we watched his film, listened to him speak and then I had the chance to talk with John informally about education.  It was on my way home that evening, and many evenings since, that I felt I had developed a strong understanding of what education means and what I -- as an educator -- will strive for in my profession. To this day, I go back to that conversation with Mr. Hunter, as my experiences enable me to reflect on and adapt my practice and understanding of education, as both a teacher and a student.

 

An educational system's purpose, within any community, is functional: it aims to produce the next generation, to carry on the values, knowledge, skills and cultures of a community through time.  In an increasingly technological and globalized world, this function transcends local, regional, even national experiences -- allowing communities to connect with and understand other perspectives and ideas.  With access to powerful collaborative technology, students are able to explore the world -- but we must offer responsible, guided discovery in doing so. Modern theories of learning and differentiated instruction enable educators to accommodate for all students and to better scaffold learning. The goal is to foster students that are capable of creating their own destinies in what can be a dynamic, responsible, and sustainable future. This truly is an exciting time to be an educator and therefore I aim to share my sense of wonder about the world, an appreciation for the experiences of others within that same world, and a thoughtfulness that inspires them to reflect upon, and improve, the world around them.  

 

“Relationships are important in education -- really even maybe the key to teaching well -- is the relationship you have with the student.  If you’re able to touch their mind fine, but if you’​re able to touch their heart, then the contact lasts longer and goes deeper.”  

- John Hunter – documentary “World Peace and other 4th grade achievements”      

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Teachers seek to have, in some measurable way, a significant impact on their students.  We tap into the wealth of our own experiences, drawing upon examples of exceptional educators from our own pasts, so that we may connect meaningfully with our own students.  It is through my own past and my own teachers that I am able to be a successful educator in due turn.  It is in this manner that I hope to give back in my own unique way.  

 

Therefore, I am Ms. Coutts and her warm smile that made everyone feel welcome and cared for, regardless of who they were or where they were from. I am Mr. Gaudet and his confidence with -- and knowledge of -- the subject material to capture the attention of his students.  I am Mr. Garden and his clever sense of humour to lighten the atmosphere in any classroom, so that students might relax and feel at ease.  I am Mr. Foster and his ability to let each of his students discover personal and real-world connections, to make the content meaningful for themselves.  I am Mrs. Manuel and her ability to create a safe environment for all of her students, as all learners deserve a place where they can feel some measure of protection and safety. And finally, I am John Hunter and his ability to appreciate an “empty space”, so that all learners feel free to process on their own terms and contribute in a thoughtful way.

 

“I want it to be so thrilling that they don’t want to be without it, but so challenging that they almost can’t do it. That kind of tension is where learning occurs.  They have that love and fear and then learning just kind of torques on that mismatch.”

- John Hunter – documentary “World Peace and other 4th grade achievements”