I consider myself to be a pretty positive person who can see a bright side to most situations. 

This has been a tough year before it even began but each week something positive has happened for me to write about in this blog. So I think it is fair to say that it has been a particularly tough week if I am googling ‘positive things about 2020’ on a Wednesday evening in 2021 for ideas to write about!

I found something positive in an article that reminded me that ‘the pandemic has unintentionally furthered children’s independence.’ 

Developing student agency and self-efficacy (independence) is a key goal that we had identified before the pandemic in developing students who can adapt and contribute to an uncertain or unknown future. I agree that teaching and learning online has required students to be more independent. In fact, I think I have already written about it in this blog. 

I already knew that greater student agency and self-efficacy will be one positive from this year and I have seen multiple examples of this in our students this week. But over the last few  weeks, there have been more things to endure than to celebrate for many of us. 

The reality of the current situation can make finding the bright side difficult. But research shows that in difficult times, it is important for our mental health to allow ourselves to acknowledge that times are difficult and to feel rather than suppress negative emotions. Now, of course, teachers and parents need to be careful to regulate these emotions in the company of children but my own children know that this year has been difficult for me. I think that knowing this allows them to feel better about finding this year difficult themselves and tells them that we are all struggling through it together.

I think that our community’s sense of togetherness as we struggle through the year is just as important as focusing on the positive things that will come out of it. We are experiencing both the good and the bad together and always more of one than the other at any given time. I have found this week a tough one but I know that we all did and we are stronger for getting to the end of it.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210302-tragic-optimism-the-antidote-to-toxic-positivity

PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK

March 15-19

PRIDE OF THE PRINCIPAL

If you have any student (or students) that you would like me to recognise for living the ISY Attributes send me an email with a sentence about why they are to be recognised and a time that I could come on Zoom and say hi. Any time or day is OK – If I have a meeting I’ll suggest another time until we get one that works. I will jump on your Zoom and then I’ll get you to put the student or student(s) into a break out room with me. I’ll have a chat with them and take a screenshot that I will send to their parents.

INCLUSION SHARE OUT

The IRIS Center

If you are interested in learning more about inclusive education within your subject area then the IRIS CENTER is a great starting point. This site  is dedicated to improving education outcomes for all children, with an emphasis on children with disabilities,  through the use of effective evidence-based practices and interventions. 

To get started, 

1. click on the Resources Tab 
2. click on IRIS Resource Locator. (This is where you will find the modules, case study units, activities, and so much more)
3. explore by topic, age group, resource type etc using the menu on the left side of the page and make a selection
4. Click on Modules tab at the top
5. Scroll through the options and click on the title that interests you
6. At the bottom of the first  page, click on Begin to start working your way through the module