An Education That Is Non-Cirriculum Based



Posted: Sunday, January 30, 2011

by Cheryl Collinson
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/cherylk55atyahoodotcom

As a Secondary Educator of 18 years, I have often asked myself, Does a student's education always have to be directly in line with a National Curriculum? Do we have to always teach to pass an exam, GCSE's or a test? Why can't we teach our kids some real life skills? Isn't an education more than book knowledge?

I have made it a personal responsibility to my students and to myself to teach more than English, Science, Math, History and so on. As an educator I take my responsibilities seriously. I want my students to leave school with not only curriculum knowledge but life skill know how.

During all my lessons, I find a way to tie in effective communication,listening and body language skills. I cannot emphasize enough just how important these skills are. If your teenager doesn't know how to use the above skills correctly, how will they survive effectively in the real world? How will teenagers cope when going on a job interview? Lets face it, not only are there less and less opportunities for our teens in the current employment climate but students are being taught less about how to have a productive life and future.

Is it our job as Educators or is it the parents responsibility to teach communication skills? I believe the responsibilities lies with both of us. As Educators, surely it isn't our sole purpose to pass on information from books and other various resources we use?

My sole purpose in writing these articles is to pass on techniques that are tried and tested to work. Yes, I have published a book and many articles over time however, my main concern is our teenagers and what is best for them. I want my students to succeed in life. I tell my students all the time, "I want you to come and see me in 5 years time and tell me how great your life is working out. I want you to tell me you have found a great career and that you are able to effectively communicate so you can get the most out of life!"

Success isn't money! Success if getting the most out of your life. Finding what you are naturally good at and knowing to achieve your goals. If our teens can communicate, listen and use their body language effectively, well, that is half of their battle won. We must encourage our students to reach for the stars but at the same time, GIVE THEM THE TOOLS TO DO SO!

My plan is taking various chapters from my book, (Pick and Choose Your Battles) and expanding on the tools I've written about. I welcome any feedback, comments and questions to the articles I write. I always want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. The teens years are so important not only to teens themselves but to us as Educators and parents. The teen brain is open and receptive to ideas. Instead of pushing it aside as "hormones", "that is just what teens are like" or "you can't tell these kids anything anymore", turn it around and be aware that not EVERYTHING is hormones, all teens can't be grouped into ALL teens and yes, you can tell teens things you just have to know how to do it in an effective way.

Again, please feel free to comment on my articles. I welcome the feedback and maybe together (not maybe but most likely) we can help to make our teenagers transition into adulthood a positive experience.

If you are interested, my book is a short 39 page, straight to the point, direct, and specific to communication, listening and body skills. The book is written for teenagers, parents and educators.

www.lulu.com Pick and Choose Your Battles

I hope all those who read my articles, ( Book) find them useful and informative.

Cheryl Collinson, Parent, Educator and Author
Cheryl Collinson is a Parent, Educator, Author and hold 2 BA in Psychology. She is a person who is passionate about working with and helping teenagers to become the best they can be. Helping teeangers, parents and educators to use effective communication, listening and body language skills are her speciality.

Cheryl has recently published the first in many books about effective communication titled Pick and Choose Your Battles.. Her book can be found at : www.lulu.com

Feedback, questions and comments are all welcomed.

This Article has been viewed 182 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.