February 28, 2024Lessons From the Fifth Row - A Strategic Plan Pillar Update 

Strategic Plan Pillar: Personalized Learning 

I’ve told this tale before, but I guess that only goes to show that it was a pretty impactful experience. It was Grade 7, and I was growing into my rather large feet as a middle schooler in Toronto. I was a pretty average kid overall, but math class was always a challenge. I remember that empty feeling in my gut when I opened the door and made my way sheepishly to my desk. Back then, the teacher did the seating plan in response to the results of the most recent unit test. The top grade was assigned the desk in the first row, closest to the blackboard (yes, we had chalkboards back then), and the worst grade had the last seat in the fifth row, near the back of the room. Inevitably, my inability to divide unlike fractions always plunked me somewhere in that fifth row, not rock bottom, but certainly rock bottom adjacent! I wore that embarrassing seating assignment like a stamp on my forehead every day. For me, success wasn’t about learning, it was about surviving the next 60 minutes without being called on, or embarrassed further.

Eventually, Grade 7 turned into Grade 8, and then Grade 9…and so on. The years went by, but I never did kick that empty feeling that opened up inside when I stepped into a math class.

Then, fast forward past five or six years and a couple university degrees and I now found myself standing at the front of a class of 15-year-olds. Not an English, history or even drama class, but a Grade 10 math class. Sure enough, here came that horrible ache all over again.

However, this time something was different. Not my math skills, they were still wanting; but something in me was different. I knew I was a pretty good teacher. Moreover, I knew I was a good learner. So, I drew on these strengths when I stepped into that dreaded math class. I also asked for help, spending time before each lesson running through each concept with one of the more gifted mathematics teachers at the school. I got through it, one day at a time. By the end of the year I had surprised myself, and likely several of the students, with what could be described as a pretty mediocre, but generally satisfactory math course (this was way before my Aberdeen Hall days).

Years later I now think I understand what the whole fifth row experience was all about. In order to succeed, I needed to know I was capable, that my teacher cared for me, and that it was okay to struggle a bit as I got up to speed. My experience working with gifted teachers later in life reinforced the idea that I also benefited from connecting my learning to something tangible in the world around me. Learning fractions became far more important to learn when I knew I would be teaching it to students the next day!

Today I know that all students benefit from some form of personalization. At Aberdeen Hall we’ve made personalization a central component of our approach to teaching and learning. Our school strategic plan outlines five key aspects of our school approach to personalizing our instruction.

Providing opportunities for student autonomy and choice. From a wide variety of electives to varied assessment and instructional design, our teachers strive to provide every student with multiple pathways towards their learning goals.

Fostering self-efficacy within our student body. Knowing that you are capable of success is a key component in learning. Small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and growth oriented assessment all contribute to a school learning environment that is hopeful and encouraging.

Building healthy relationships between students and their teachers, advisors, and administrators. Our strong homeroom and advisory systems, coupled with a collection of fantastic teachers makes all the difference for our students. We believe that building healthy relationships with caring and dedicated teachers is the cornerstone of a healthy school. We work hard at forging and nurturing these relationships.

Establishing the relevance of curriculum. Providing opportunities for students to apply their knowledge outside the classroom can really inspire and engage students. Through field trips, outdoor education, volunteering, peer mentoring, community experts, and project-based activities and presentations our students are able to see how their new knowledge can be useful in the world around them.

Building an inclusive environment for all our students. Having a sense of belonging matters. We work hard at building a school where all are welcome, regardless of ability, race, or gender identity.

It took me 40 odd-years to figure out the lesson my time in that Grade 7 math class was teaching me. Looking back, I wonder how things would have turned out if I had a more personalized experience. Who knows, maybe my life would have taken a different direction. Or maybe I would have ended up in the exact same spot, which is just fine with me. After all, things have worked out pretty well.

I do know that what I learned in that fifth row made me a better teacher in the long run, and that students in our school benefit from this more personal approach. Sadly, I still can’t really divide fractions!