If elementary schools were just institutions of academic excellence, then it would be automatic that children go there and acquire all the knowledge they need to succeed in the world without fail. They would operate like a well streamlined factory. Schools, by their very nature, should not become industrialized, sterile centers for rote academic acquisition. When this is the case, human relation and exploration are lost, kids become robots.
With the advanced pressure and focus on academic performance in the last 10+ years, we are finding that schools are becoming more intentionally focused purely on academics. But what if academic acquisition was the by-product of success, not the end goal? People learn best when they are comfortable, included, feel safe, are relaxed, and feel a connection to the person that is teaching them. The most successful teachers are not necessarily the ones with PhDs, or Masters. They are not necessarily the most academically astute people, but rather the best teachers are ones that create strong relationships with their students and create an environment in the classroom and in the school where kids feel safe, included, relaxed and comfortable. The relationship between teacher and student is invaluable to positive youth development which then leads to increased academic acquisition.
The whole world operates on relationships. The more we can become champions in children’s lives and help kids develop healthy relationships, the more we can foster positive social and emotional interactions. These tools have the power to give kids confidence, break down barriers in education, and give every kid a chance to thrive.
The key to business, the economy, the workforce of the future is not solely academic skills but rather human relationships.
Education in Utah 