Education by Shala Books

  • Home
  • Resources
    • FSL Resources
    • ESL Resources
    • Reading Resources
  • Consulting Services
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Support
    • About
    • FAQ
    • Contact
    • Opportunities
  • Login
  • Home
  • Resources
    • FSL Resources
    • ESL Resources
    • Reading Resources
  • Consulting Services
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Support
    • About
    • FAQ
    • Contact
    • Opportunities
  • Login

THE EDUCATION BLOG

BLOG HOME PAGE
Let's Talk Education
Educational Frameworks
Planners
Reading
ESL
FSL
Modern Foreign Languages
Mother Tongue
Tips for Educators
Tips for Parentss
Education Quotes

Blog

January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018

A BUILDING DOES NOT SOLVE EDUCATIONAL ISSUES - PEOPLE DO

24/11/2018

 
There seems to be this misconception that if we simply build a new school or renovate an existing one, we will somehow find an instant cure for current educational issues, and that we will automatically increase student learning and engagement. State-of-the-art equals what is best for students. Don’t get me wrong, there are definite advantages to working in a new building – aesthetics, accommodation of newer technology and labs, bigger classrooms and joint learning spaces, newer security features, more green space, etc. However, none of the aforementioned elements define a school or make it great – a building whether old or new simply provides a space for possibilities.

So what does make a school great, if not the building itself? A strong school vision, structure, and a cohesive staff. I have had the opportunity to work in both a brand new building (that was part of a school expansion) at the American School of Doha (ASD), and a few schools that were getting on in age, and I can honestly say that the most meaningful and purposeful work that I have ever done was in a building that was very basic, had limited bells and whistles, and could have used a few repairs. The new ASD building did not magically create a cohesive teaching staff or culture, nor did it answer many of the questions teachers had about the school’s purpose and vision. Sure, the students had access to nicer classrooms and learning spaces, but the difference between what and how I taught French as a Second  Language (FSL) in my portable classroom while the extension was being built, and what/how I taught in my new learning space remained pretty much the same, and I was still disconnected from all other departments outside of Modern Foreign Languages. There was no direction from the administration prompting change, educationally speaking, and so none occurred. We simply moved what we had been doing to a new location. On the flip side, my time at the Netherlands Inter-community School (NIS) offered a completely different experience. As I mentioned, it was not a school with fancy bells and whistles; however, what we were able to accomplish education-wise for our students in a short span of time through changes effected with the implementation of the Language Framework far exceeded what was accomplished by moving to a new building at ASD. It proved that it isn’t about the workspace; it is about the vision and a clear plan of action, which is what the Language Framework provided. Because the staff had a clear structure within which to work, we came together as a team, we made due with what we had and used our creativity to supplement materials we lacked. Our students made the connections between our classes and became increasingly engaged without state-of-the-art equipment because what they were learning was relevant and made sense.

Am I saying there is never a need to build a new school, or to renovate? Absolutely not. My point is simply this – a pretty building does not solve educational issues, the people in it do.
Further Reading
Curing the Stagnation of Education
A Career in Education: Reality vs. What it Should Be
The Problem With Current Professional Development and How to Solve It
Rethinking Report Cards
The Purpose of Education

A Building Does Not Solve Educational Issues - People Do
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    SHARE ARTICLE

    Welcome to
    The Education Blog

    Christina Shala
    Christina Shala
    About Christina Shala

    Recent Post

    Quick Links


    FSL Resources
    ESL Resources
    Beginning Readers
    Consulting Services

    Have a Question?

    CONTACT US
Vertical Divider
Vertical Divider
OUR COMPANY
About
Blog
FAQ
Contact
Opportunities
Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
FSL Resources
ESL Resources
Emergent Readers
Transitional Readers
Consulting Services
Vertical Divider
CONNECT WITH US
© Copyright 2023  Education by Shala Books Inc.