Kendrick Lamar’s new album – Mr Morale and The Big Steppers Listen here …should act as a starting point for those wanting to appreciate young people-their state.And the state of the world around them.The fact that ‘you’ don’t know who Kendrick Lamar is or ‘like

As adults we ask young people to pay attention, key in and focus. Concentrate- upon conversation in the classroom,when using tools in a workshop and particularly behind the wheel of a car. “Concentrate or kill” was just one of many provocative strap-lines targeting drivers (full)

Hardly. The stars have long since lost their luster and the stripes no longer run true.America where paper tigers chase paper at the expense of effective politics and the people they are elected to serve.America shouldn’t serve as anyone’s global barometer. Pointed homelessness. Systemic racism.

Stepping into a foreign environment and creating instant connection with a unique audience is but one of the many challenges faced by a guest speaker. Or at least a good one. Said environment has to be massaged into a space in which the audience can

The ‘idea’ of a guest speaker is wrong.Flat out wrong.You don’t need a guest speaker.You need a guest listener. Questioner. Sharer. You need someone who can read the room.Create an atmosphere.Be themselves-vulnerable.And connect. All easier said than done. But never more necessary than now-after what

Edgey. My results however speak for themselves. Young people appreciate the opportunity to be spoken with not too. Whilst staff appreciate the expert skill sets of a highly experienced educator capable of reading a room and creating an atmosphere that allows for ‘real talk’.You won’t

They present with color and flare that can raise eyebrows. They often choose to push back against authority which can lower eyebrows. And they can be corralled by “general rules”-or labels. They are often called lazy. Disengaged. Apathetic. They’re resilience is questioned. As is their

Not in education,on the street or in the home. Unfortunately, lines of communication (connection) constantly fail for any number of reasons. There are however some “rules” by which connections are more likely to be made and the desired “result” achieved and they all stem from

Author Malcom Gladwell popularized the ‘rule’ that 10,000 hours of intensive practice provides for mastery of ones craft whether that be playing the violin,computer programming or public speaking. Gladwells rule doesn’t delve into the quality of the teaching behind the practice or other important contributing

The global pandemic has highlighted that life is not linear.And neither is education. The disruptions felt throughout our communities can at the very least serve as a catalyst for change.Our (education systems) schools need to shift.Dramatically. Appreciating the value of (communication) relationships.The influence of music