Ms. Ye Lan once used a phrase to sum up the meaning of modern education —- to teach the world, and to nurture life. “To teach the world” refers to the content of education, teaching students the knowledge of things and the norms and reason behind them; ” To nurture life” clarifies the purpose of education. In today’s education, teachers not only bear the responsibility of imparting knowledge but also need to mold students’ hearts and characters in the education process. Teachers and students are the complex subjects of educational activities, and the teaching process is a dynamic process of teacher-student interaction that constantly approaches the teaching goal. In this process, how to listen effectively and stimulate students’ creativity has become the common goal of modern education, which is also a continuous concern of the SUIS QP Teacher Development Center. On 12 April, the school invited two experts who have been deeply cultivated in their professional fields for many years to each bring a comprehensive special training session for our Chinese and foreign teachers.
Learning to listen empathetically
An old Chinese saying states that “things are often not as good as we wish, and few of them can be told to others.” This saying illustrates how difficult it is to communicate and share when we meet trouble. Everyone encounters difficulties and frustrations, and communication is an excellent way to seek support. Mastering empathetic communication not only enhances effective communication skills but also allows the mind to be nourished. Therefore, the SUIS Qingpu Teacher Development Center invited Ms. Zhang Mei, Deputy Director of the Qingpu Student Psychological Development Counseling Center and a National Level II Counsellor, to conduct a special training session on “Empathic Listening”. The training was designed to provide an in-depth exploration of communication, allowing Chinese teachers, through one-on-one and one-to-many hands-on training, to learn how to use empathetic listening and reflective feedback to communicate effectively with others and engage in self-healing and mutual support.
Ms. Zhang used the terms ‘student’s mentor’ and ‘bridge between home and school’ to explain the role of teachers nowadays. She emphasized that if you want to enter the world of the child’s mind, you have to start by listening. “Squat down, stay with the children, and then see the world,” she advised. Communication between home and school is often a challenge for teachers, precisely because parents usually perceive the performance of students in school through the teacher’s expression. Therefore, it is essential for teachers to learn to use non-violent communication methods for effective communication.
Here, Ms. Zhang guided the teachers through an interactive experience, using “cherry blossoms” and “camphor” as concrete images to help them perceive their roles and emotions, and to look for the needs behind them through the use of emotional cards. This helped the teachers reflect on the thought process of “when something happens, what I feel is, what I need is, “allowing them to find the needs behind the behaviours and deeply understand that everything is accepted and allowed.
At the same time, under Ms. Zhang’s guidance, the teachers experienced and learned how to use empathic listening and reflective feedback to communicate effectively with others and to heal themselves and support each other in the process.
As the renowned poet William Butler Yeats once famously said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” To help ignite this fire, on 12 April, SUIS Qingpu was privileged to invite Alysia Lee Asp to conduct a professional development presentation for our expatriate colleagues.
Alysia is a fine arts educator with over nine years of teaching experience in China. She also plays many other important roles within our community, such as a certified coach, consultant, public speaker, and entrepreneur. Her presentation focused on “Cultivating Creativity for Engaged Learners.” This workshop aimed to explore the conditions that foster creativity and ways to maintain student engagement using effective classroom teaching methods in a world brimming with distractions.
Creativity flourishes in environments that encourage risk-taking and view mistakes as learning opportunities. It thrives under three key conditions: motivation, a growth mindset, and expertise. When students receive specific support and have the creative time and space to explore their interests, creativity flows naturally.
Conversely, creativity is stifled by demotivation, a scarcity mindset, and a lack of skills. Judgment is cited as the top element that hinders creativity, so teachers must focus on commenting on students’ efforts rather than labeling them – even if the intent is to provide a compliment. The goal is to foster an atmosphere where students feel empowered to take risks and learn from their experiences without fear of harsh evaluation.
Collaborative activities build on students’ social strengths, and diverse learning formats cater to different learning styles. Additionally, the strategic use of visuals can appeal to students’ senses and enhance engagement. At SUIS Qingpu, it is evident that teachers employ all five of these teaching strategies to center their instruction around the needs and experiences of the students.
Alysia’s humorous personality and glowing stage presence captivated the audience’s attention throughout the workshop. Not only did her presentation provide teachers with a valuable professional development opportunity, but it also inspired many to explore the topic of Visual Notetaking further on their own.
We are immensely grateful to Alysia for generously sharing her knowledge, experience, and insights with us. Her passion for cultivating creativity in the classroom was truly inspiring, and we eagerly anticipate inviting her back to SUIS Qingpu in the near future to continue this meaningful dialogue.
Through the training and guidance of these two expert presenters, our teachers will be better equipped to grasp the essence of effective education. They will gain valuable strategies to cope with the various challenges they may face in the workplace, while also maintaining a positive and resilient mindset. Ultimately, this professional development opportunity will foster a greater sense of occupational well-being among our teachers as they work to continuously improve their craft and promote the common development of both teachers and students at our school.