COVER STORY CONTINUED Community A supportive community is irreplaceable to the education and success of children. As children grow, so does their community and their sense of belonging in their community. At Oak Learners, children are not just part of a “class” or a “school”, but part of a community where the roles of every community member are recognized and celebrated, including the children.
academics is “impossible”. The teachers at Oak Learners begin with each child by building a relationship of mutual respect and trust that is fostered through acknowledging the strengths of each child. Kelly says, “We begin by celebrating the strengths of each child because it is from their strengths that we can scaffold a support system for their needs. For example, if a child loves art and drawing but is struggling to learn to read and write, we begin each session with some form of art or drawing to recognize their existing skills before tackling the more challenging skills.” This approach sets the child up for success and establishes a positive rapport right from the start.
Kelly recognizes that, “when children feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves, they are more likely to work harder to achieve their best to support their role in the larger community.” This is exemplified every day in the atmosphere of Oak Learners, beginning with their location in the heart of Mimico Village and their commitment to outdoor education and learning outside in the community. Students and campers at Oak Learners feel recognized as important members of the community and want to continue to learn and grow to give back.
What the pandemic has taught us more than anything else is the importance of community. We have collectively learned to appreciate our neighbours, our small businesses and our families. As this community expands again while we recover from the pandemic, it is important for parents and teachers to continue to build an inclusive and More and more research into education is welcoming community for all children and students. showing that the strengths-first approach and a multi-disciplinary learning environment are School Success for all Learners significantly more successful at developing confident, adaptable and well-rounded students This year, back to school may still look a little into their futures. The Reggio Emilia philosophy, different, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing - it’s which underlies the approach to teaching and a wonderful opportunity to set new routines, new learning at Oak Learners, begins with the premise expectations and new practices of gratitude and that every single child is capable and competent recognition for our children. Let’s work together and full of potential and ambitious desires. to continue to rebuild a better way of teaching Students at Oak Learners are acknowledged first and learning to set our children up for success in for their competencies and then supported in a continually changing world. Success comes with their future learning through those skills. small steps, but always stems from the same 3 C’s: Creativity, Confidence and Community. Parents and teachers are the most important people in making or breaking the confidence of Find out more about how Oak Learners can their children and students. It all begins with the support your family during the upcoming school language used and daily practices of recognition year at www.oaklearners.ca. More programs and and gratitude. At Oak Learners, Kelly and her opportunities to get involved are opening all the teachers greet each child by thanking them for time and you are encouraged to sign up for the being there and bringing their best selves. At Oak Learners newsletter for regular updates and the end of each day, they sit with the students news on how Oak Learners is reshaping education or campers to reflect on the day’s successes and for the future. help the children set goals for the next day. This practice helps children understand that entire OAK LEARNERS days can’t be “good” or “bad”, but that there are 394 Royal York Rd. always opportunities to acknowledge success 416.820.5233 and gratitude in each day. www.oaklearners.ca
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