Guest Editorial by the Langley Times
The new school year is officially underway.
Even if you don’t have kids in the education system, there is still a sense summer fun is behind us and we must get down to business.
Roads and lives are busier. Parents begin their everyday scramble of getting kids to and from school safely.
For some young ones, this week marks entry into the school system. For older ones, they are entering middle or high school.
Classrooms are clean and bright, with teachers and administrators rolling out the welcome mat.
Big changes are coming. In the coming years, traditional teaching is being phased out.
No longer will educators stand in front of the classroom lecturing while students follow from textbooks. Instead, classrooms will be interactive with teachers discovering individual passions.
Teachers will direct and fuel those interests on a new learning path.
Gone will be the days where everyone has to read the same book and write a report on it. Eventually, letter grades will be gone, too, and grade-point-average won’t be the be-all-end-all for university.
It is welcome change for students who don’t thrive in the traditional classroom setting.
If teachers can tap into what individual students get excited about, the potential to unlock their brain from boredom and drive passion is exciting news.
Many teachers are already adapting their teaching style to this new way of reaching students.
There are no two students alike. Some thrive on tests and report deadlines, while others crash and burn.
Change is hard, but this is a directive coming from the government that parents and students should support.
Individual learning has the potential to unlock bright minds which can make for a bright future. Our future leaders and innovators are in our schools.