As educators, we live and work in challenging times. We all know the current issues and impact of them – on our physical and mental health, the wellbeing of our students, and the capacity of our communities to survive and thrive. What can we do to keep our classrooms spaces of belonging and community, where creativity and collaboration are fostered and encouraged? How can we work with a pro-social pedagogy, that values difference and acts for social justice, in a world that seems to be doing the opposite? How can art help to sustain both ourselves and our students, whilst also being used as a force for change? And in an increasingly technologically mediated world, how can we build resilience and critical thinking in our students?
This two-day conference at beautiful Northern College will attempt to answer these questions, with the help of excellent speakers, facilitated discussions and the chance to spend time walking and thinking outside. We will consider and debate themes of ‘Belonging’ and close, as we always do, with calls to action. What will we do differently in our teaching as a result of our shared thinking, and how will we act to influence wider social change?
#TeachDifferent2017 