Have you ever had that sense of belong the odd one out? Not fitting in? As my children start new schools and I navigate new situations, I am intensely missing our international school experiences. It is interesting to me, how warm my welcome has always been in a new international school, it is one of my favourite things about them - people will quickly form friendships and be welcoming to newcomers.
I am so curious about this, my assumption is they have both been in this situation themselves before and empathise and also are likely without those extended family ties and friendships that can blinker people to those who are new and alone.
As we experience this, it has got me thinking about the ways I can support those who feel shy, are new or feel different to just 'belong' because of how much of a difference it can make to people's experiences. I have always checked in on students, tried to find out about them to be able to assign them a buddy who might be a good fit for their interests and personality. I will approach new families, new students and new teachers slightly differently now with this fresh experience. My goal has always been to create a family buddy system and this will be something that would help sell a school to me and if not in place, something I would strongly advocate to establish.
Feel free to add your ideas to the ideas on the AnswerGarden above.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorEmma Ahmed is a learning coach and curriculum coordinator at International Schools. Archives
September 2023
Categories |