We are currently faced with the stark and disappointing under-utilization of the Municipal Creche facilities in Chitungwiza. This is so disappointing given the fact that children are our future. With this in mind, I had a few minutes to think about the upcoming 'Conference For Kids' that will be hosted by Apostle Sibiya under the name Mega Kidz Conference themed: 'I Am A Future Legend.'
I just recently told Arthur Mutambara who I have been teaching the basics of coding that I will start teaching my young brother Tarto Patsika coding when he begins his 'Form One' secondary education next year. I will also teach my son Ordain Patsika how to code from a tender age. I want him to know what I know at tender ages. I told Arthur Mutambara that even if my young brother and son follow other career paths they will do so freely. Yet they will be empowered to sit down and code a sites from scratch. This is my gift to them for the future. Even now as I sit on my laptop my four month old son begs for my attention because he wants to sit on my lap as I code my websites away.
I will raise him to be a future legend. I remember the lyrics to Whitney Houston’s song The Greatest Love of All and it says:
I just recently told Arthur Mutambara who I have been teaching the basics of coding that I will start teaching my young brother Tarto Patsika coding when he begins his 'Form One' secondary education next year. I will also teach my son Ordain Patsika how to code from a tender age. I want him to know what I know at tender ages. I told Arthur Mutambara that even if my young brother and son follow other career paths they will do so freely. Yet they will be empowered to sit down and code a sites from scratch. This is my gift to them for the future. Even now as I sit on my laptop my four month old son begs for my attention because he wants to sit on my lap as I code my websites away.
I will raise him to be a future legend. I remember the lyrics to Whitney Houston’s song The Greatest Love of All and it says:
I believe the children are our futureTeach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.
Nyasha and Maudeni Mututa |
This portion of the song has always been a
favorite. It is important to remember that each child’s future is shaped by many.
Teachers are key figures in this transformation process. Teacher
beliefs, expectations and assumptions of potential weigh heavily in the
student achievement equation. Research “clearly establishes that teacher
expectations do play a significant role in determining how well and how
much students learn” (Jerry Bamburg 1994).
Students tend to internalize the beliefs
teachers have about their ability. Generally, they “rise or fall to the
level of expectation of their teacher... When teachers believe in
students, students believe in themselves. When those you respect think
you can, you think you can” (James Raffini 1993).
I Believe The Children Are Our Future.
Children have and always will be our
future. Each generation is expected to learn from individuals of a past
generation in order to lead the way into the future. Todd Whitaker
writes, “Teachers are the profession that make all other professions
possible.” This is so true.
Teach Them Well And Let Them Lead The Way.
Many teachers and/or whole schools are
using inquiry based methods, flex grouping and other approaches that
allows the child to lead the way. These methods honor the child as a
learner.
Show Them All The Beauty They Possess Inside AND Give Them A Sense Of Pride To Make It Easier.
Todd Whitaker, author of “What Great Teachers Do Differently”
share 14 things that matter most. Many of these
revolve around how we show respect and help OUR KIDS to believe in
themselves.
Nyasha and Maudeni Mututa |
Where Do You See Yourself With The Following Characteristics?
1. Great teachers never forget that it is people, not programs, that determine the quality of a school.
2. Great teachers establish clear expectations at the start of the year and follow them consistently as the year progresses.
3. When a student misbehaves, great teachers have one goal: to keep that behavior from happening again.
4. Great teachers have high expectations for students, but even higher expectations for themselves.
5. Great teachers know who is the variable in the classroom: THEY are.
6. Great teachers create a positive atmosphere in their classrooms and schools.
7. Great teachers consistently filter out the negatives that do not matter and share a positive attitude.
8. Great teachers work hard to keep their relationships in good repair–to avoid personal hurt and to repair any possible damage.
9. Great teachers have the ability to
ignore trivial disturbances and the ability to respond to inappropriate
behavior without escalating the situation.
10. Great teachers have a plan and purpose for everything they do.
11. Before making any decision or
attempting to bring about any change, great teachers ask themselves one
central question: “What will the best people think?”
12. Great teachers treat everyone as if they were good.
13. Great teachers keep standardized testing in perspective.
14. Great teachers care about their students, and understand the power of emotion to jump-start change.
Nyasha and Maudeni Mututa |
Let The Children’s Laughter Remind Us How We Used To Be.
It has been said, laughter is the best
medicine. Today I had the opportunity to see these kids in their learning
environments. It warms my heart to see students who are enjoying what
they are doing and learning – as much as I did as a child at Batanai Creche. That is when it was still functional. Chitungwiza Municipality has ignored the structures from which great teachers like Auntie Mututa can benefit from.
Nyasha and Maudeni Mututa |
GET READY FOR MEGA KIDZ' CONFERENCE.
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