One of the most common questions is "What does the staff do?" Here are just
some of the things that they do:
Model politeness, good listening and negotiating skills. Talk to students
as they would to a good friend.
Converse with students, share enthusiasm, but be careful not to distract
or enable passivity.
Know that a student is responsible for their own learning.
Demonstrate to students that learning takes place, not only through classes,
but through reading, talking, writing, thinking and playing.
Encourage students to spend their time in the ways that are deeply satisfying
to them.
Remind students that not understanding something, feeling bored, getting
frustrated, failing at something are all transitional stages on the way
to success.
Distinguish between casual requests and heartfelt ones. Avoid "finding
something for students to do," or rushing in to help.
Empower students who think they can't function without adult guidance
to be self-initiated.
Know that every student has the ability to succeed and that the key to
success is the student finding their passion and following it.
Encourage initiative and persistence.
If asked, encourage students to pin down exactly what they want. If they
want to "Do History", for instance, what do they mean? What period of history?
Why do they want to do it? Do they want to read about it? Act it out? Do
pictures of it? Talk about it? Tell them you have the confidence in their
ability to decide how they can accomplish what they want to do.
Argue persuasively for your point of view in discussions. Be a role model
of commitment and responsibility. Don't feel you should "de-skill" to be
democratic.
Model being a good citizen. Notice what has to be done around the school
and then do it. Take on responsibilities and follow through on them.
Be ready to explain how self initiated learning works and why you believe
in it. Be supportive of those who are learning how it works, and explain
it to people who are interested in the school.
Be a role model — live passionately, cherish beauty, work for the
good of the school, have fun.
Be an active part of a democratic government.
Admit your own mistakes and learn from them.
Share their knowledge and experience.
When a student expresses a desire to learn a particular subject do whatever
is necessary to support the student in learning that subject. This might
include; referring students to books and other resource materials, sharing
their knowledge of the subject either informally or in a formal classroom
environment or finding and working with an outside mentor.
Be a student and continue to learn and expand their knowledge.