It's not just

about the grade.

Feedback should factor in capacity,

the extent to which that child has made

genuine effort,

their current circumstances –

oh, yes, there is much in a child's life

that can hinder performance –

the bulk of the iceberg,

in fact.

So many environmental factors,

physiological and psychological inhibitors.

Hard to be engaged

when hungry, bullied, frightened

or worse.

~~~

Feedback

should be phrased in such a way

that a child can walk away with hope,

with pride un-savaged, with practical advice,

with a renewed sense

of control.

~

How is that done? Too difficult, you say?

Yes, good teaching is difficult

but the principals

are simple and CLEAR.

~

Compassion is pre-eminent.

A sensitive and courteous manner,

more than just a bonus,

you need

empathy and concern,

to actively foster learning.

~

Leadership,

a modelling of clear standards,

as well as demonstrating

appropriate behaviour, doing more

than mouthing words (or as M7

might say 'platting tudes') being

accountable and willing

to serve.

~

Expecting excellence,

for 'dumbing down' insults

the child's intelligence

and in any case, merit is relative.

Ask yourself for what

I am preparing these children?

And if you answer –

final exams, university entrance,

lucrative wages –

you've failed them.

~

If a child blunders

(and at some time, they will)

then acceptable discipline

with consistent, reasonable Action,

sincere negotiation

for recompense,

that makes sense to the child

and invokes justice and reconciliation.

Such repetition and reinforcement

of strategies that they may

themselves employ one day

with family, with friends, in office,

in dealing with the World

will help to keelhaul

the cyclical nature

of bullying.

~

Responsibility

and respect for difference,

for one's own self, as well,

to learn to question the herd,

to refine a morality

based on what the heart knows,

to own one's education, ever,

all choices

all actions, to point the finger,

nowhere but

back.

~~~

Compassion is pre-eminent,

but without it

the other four may become

mere cynical assertion,

mindless,

nodding dog agreement,

1984 doublespeak,

words chalked up on a barn wall,

mysteriously morphing overnight –

audio feedback.