Blog 1: To prepare

Blessed, fortunate, prosperous. Take your pick. Either way, I’m one of the lucky ones! I’m allowed to go on a study visit to both New-York and Boston! What could be better then that? Winning the lottery could be one, but what are the chances on that. I can’t wait to see what the American schools have to offer. But before that, as it still is a study visit, we have to prepare and think about our goals.

I’ve thought long and hard about what I really want to achieve, but it is difficult. There are so many things I want to see, to experience, that I can’t just choose one. I want to find inspiration in their education system, I want to experience the climate in their classes and I want to see how they shape their lessons, know how they help their students improve. There are just too many things.

During our study visit to New-York and Boston we will be welcomed in different primary schools where we are allowed to see what makes them fit to be called an essential school. I have absolutely no experience with the American education system. TV shows and books can only show you so much. The news doesn’t always show American schools and education system in the most positive light, which is not really fair. I want to compare it to what I know and decide how it can improve our own way of thinking.

To make it more feasible for myself to translate their teachings to my own, I’ve chosen one goal to focus on. How do I coach my students with finding, verbalizing and reflecting on their personal goals? With the emphasis on coaching. I want it to be the student’s goal, not mine.

So what is it that I will be doing during our visit? I’ll listen, look and just live in the moment. I’m sure that this will be quite the experience.