Open the Door Resham Premchand Japanese International School reshampremchand@yahoo.com

Agenda Introduction Exploring Student Voice Purpose Mindful engagement Sustainable Next steps?

Introduction Resham Premchand Currently at Japanese International School Teaching P6, Exhibition Year IB WSL, Site Evaluator WASC Evaluator Teaching in HK, Singapore and Japan Reading, connecting, travelling

What is Student Voice? What is Student Voice? What YOU think student voice means? Share with your partner You can add ideas as you discuss with one another What is Student Voice?

In context Acknowledge shifts in the post modern era Communication Use of Technology Knowledge base VS skill base Cultural diversity Political diversity More gender equality Different types of “homes” Experiences more varied Varied professions (VS traditional professions) And more…

And have schools changed? Textbook based VS Learning engagements Teacher centred VS student centred Set curriculum (UK) vs Inquiry based How encompassing have we become as educators to the changes in the post modern era in our schools?

Purpose Is there a need to change our schools or the way we run things? Are our students disengaged? Relevance between school and the real world? Do we understand our students’ worlds? What do they see is important And why? What is the purposeful engagement? Their trials and tribulations

Why change? Authentic connections Engage them in creating, building and sustaining their community Empower them with applicable tools/ strategies Create and build confident and balanced people

How? Establish the mission and vision of the school, revisit it every 3 years Acknowledge the context of the environment Know the client – student and parents Build psychological safety amongst the students, staff, parents to create room for experimentation

How? Classroom environment School Community

Mindful engagement

Listen to the students Validate Authorization Action Reflection

Role of teachers Classroom Facilitators What can I do to help you learn effectively? Psychological safety - Trust What choices can students make? (Level 1- 5) What changes do students want to make? Is it always a YES? Establishing Time, Place, Purpose Empowers them = engages them Accountability Authentic Ownership

Kids Matter, Australian Primary Schools Mental Health Initiative

Brainstorm ideas Walk around the room to brainstorm ideas for possible ways to hear students’ voice Each grade level Each environment Playground Corridor Snack/ lunch room Person –in - charge Principal Chef/ Lunch provider Games provider/ PE teacher

Sustainable Act Feel Being Values

Next Steps

Video Alex Fletcher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlhwZilJXv8

References https://adamfletcher.net/activities/consulting/commonaction Kids Matter, Australian Primary Schools Mental Health Initiative https://www.edutopia.org/blog/five-strategies-more-voice-choice- students-rebecca-alber https://soundout.org/about-us/programs/ https://soundout.org/65-ways-students-can-share-student-voice/ https://www.edutopia.org/blog/how-amplify-student-voice-school- change-start-listening-suzie-boss https://www.edutopia.org/blog/sammamish-2-including-student- voice-bill-palmer https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=719&category =In-the-classroom&article=

Questions?

Thank You