From the Principal
Our most wonderful adults
You know them well. You would usually be seeing them, chatting with them and sharing a joke. Some are tall, others dramatic, some are sporty, and some super stylish. They are our incredible teachers.
Working at Preshil is an act of investment. In a school where relationships are so central, our teachers make a big investment in each of the children in their care. This connection with the children is central to all that we do, and part of the greatest reward of teaching at Preshil, but when we go to on-line school, our teachers lose some of this, and I know they are just a tiny bit heartbroken.
Our teachers are also invested in their teaching partners, and that professional relationship which supports and invigorates each day. They miss each other, and the way that they can each step in and out of the limelight, sharing the dynamic classroom space. And they have to make all their own cups of coffee now too!
And our teachers invest in the beautiful creative and challenging learning experiences they design for our children. Taking time to curate and offer learning which meets the interests and needs of our children is time consuming, but much more so when you lose the spontaneity of creating that learning in a space together with the children's input.
Our teachers invest in the transaction of learning. In a classroom, giving feedback in the moment, and responding to a question when it is raised, is efficient and joyful. On-line, these things take longer, have no spontaneity, and happen without the knowing smile and nod that so buoys a teacher, and that gives them the spark of knowing that a job has been well done.
On-line all the positive feedback loops for our teachers are broken, and are replaced with a sense of uncertainty that arises from the very situation. They work tirelessly to create opportunities to connect with the children, but sometimes some children are not seen. They create and finesse learning tasks, and sometimes some are not attempted. They are present, and sometimes very few children are there to greet them. In a time of unending uncertainty, they are carrying the uncertainty for the children, the program and our families. And that’s a lot.
Last time we were in lockdown, there was an expectation that our teachers would also check in with families periodically to see how things were going. These took place over Zoom or on the phone. When we reflected on that time, what we discovered was that asking “How are you going?”, could lead to conversations that were greater in scope than the teaching and learning. These conversations were sometimes difficult for our staff to hear and they felt ill equipped to respond.
Before we consider any return to periodical check-ins for our families this time around, we need to act on what we know, and be sure that we prioritise the wellbeing for our teachers.
Of course, if you need to reach out because you and your child are finding the on-line situation challenging, then please make use of our Student Support Services Team as your first port of call. Amir and Julia are there for all of our children.
julia.strentz@preshil.vic.edu.au
And as always, please reach out to me. With feedback, questions, or just to connect. I'm here to listen.
We're all doing the very best job that we can, and I know you care for these teachers as much as I do.
So here is something you can do. I hope you can find a moment to step into their shoes, and let them know how much you value their efforts, and everything that they continue to do for our children.
Cressida Batterham-Wilson
Interim Principal