Body, mind and heart

Angus MacFarlane. Prof Maori Research at Canterbury University.

The presentation reported on research on exceptional teachers and offered a range of demonstrations of their practice.

Some practices of effective teachers:

• Importance of culturally responsive practice; knowledge of students’ culture is important for building a supportive social climate and a vibrant learning context.
• The provision of opportunities to exert personal choice.
• Offering of relevant and meaningful learning activities.
• Learning is enhanced and nurtured by the presence of supportive relationships.
• Effective practitioners show connectedness with the students and extend relationships beyond the classroom.
• It is proposed that the success of these teachers may be attributed largely to their being simultaneously assertive and warm.

Angus has done extensive behaviour amanagement work. His books might be worth a look. He uses narrtive, students own stories in his research and writing. He suggested that all young people benefit from:

1. clear expectations
2. teaching young people how to meet expectations.