Good education improves on the school of life

Kids haven’t really changed, but society has, so how does a teacher set criteria for the top students?

Collaboration and co-operation: The best students help set the culture and tone in the classroom.

THIRTY-five years teaching — all at Yarrawonga College P-12. How lucky have I been to be working with young people every day?

People ask me two questions.

Firstly, it must be hard teaching these kids today? I am quick to respond to this with: Kids haven’t changed, but society has changed.

The second question is harder. Who is the best kid you have ever taught?

I have some stringent criteria and I feel I have an answer.

This kid always attends school. He respects all of his teachers and tries his best. He helps set the culture and tone in the classroom.

When there was a fire out at his place and the fire brigade raced out, they left soon after, reassured that the 15-year-old had the situation in hand.

He often works till 3am in the family business, but checks into school on time. He gets tired but never looks for concessions and never complains.

He helps provide for his extended family. He can kill, gut and skin a sheep, but he needs a hand from Dad to carry the carcass to the cool room.

He has been driving since he was 10 and operates and takes responsibility for equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

There is tough work to do, 12 months of the year, but he rolls up his sleeves and does it. When faced with a problem, he finds a solution.

He has a deep respect for all and loves his family. He judges his wealth not on money, but on what he doesn’t need.

He can shoot a gun and uses that privilege wisely. He deplores violence. He has been taught to only raise a gun if you are going to fire it and only raise your fists if you are going to throw them.

He listens more than he talks and when he talks people listen.

He uses technology to advantage and supports it with common sense.

He can, draft, sheer, crop and harvest.

When he is challenged with, “what can you do?” He counters with, “what can’t I do?”.

He is the best kid I have taught and he is a son of a Yarrawonga farmer.

● Jim Gillies is an educator at Yarrawonga College P-12