Smart School Councils

View Original

Finding the right balance: The teacher's role on a Smart School Council

As a teacher, it can be difficult to give up control and let students take the lead on a school council. After all, we want to ensure that our students are making informed decisions and that our school community is thriving. However, many schools find that their school council is too teacher-led, and that students aren't given the opportunity to truly shape their school community.

So, what's the solution? The key is to find the right balance between guiding and leading. Teachers can still play an important role on a school council, but they should act more like facilitators rather than conductors. Instead of dictating what decisions should be made, teachers can help to guide students through the decision-making process, offering advice and support when needed, but ultimately giving students the reins they need to shape their school community.

Think of it like a conductor of an orchestra - they don't play every instrument themselves, but they help to guide and coordinate the efforts of the musicians to create beautiful music. Similarly, as a facilitator on a Smart School Council, teachers can help to coordinate the efforts of students to create positive change in their school community.

So, let's work together to find the right balance on our school councils - one that empowers students to take the lead and make a difference, while still ensuring that our school communities are thriving and inclusive.