Teachers Teaching Teachers

The Teachers Teaching Teachers (TTT) Sessions happen every Wednesday and were designed as a chance for our faculty and staff to share their incredible wealth of knowledge with each other. 

This week we had Mr. David Bair, our High School Principal, talking about Stolen Focus. 

Why did you choose this theme to teach?

My presentation was based on a book I read over the June/July holiday called Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention - and How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari. Hari's work had a profound impact on me as a human being, educator, and father because he uses research-based evidence from the top minds in the world to argue that today's society is making our lives more stressful and less fulfilling by "stealing our focus" and not allowing us the uninterrupted time necessary to focus deeply on any aspect of our lives. This reality, in Hari's mind, has considerable negative consequences for us as human beings and as a species. It is a book all teachers, leaders, and parents should urgently read. I chose this topic, then, because it has great relevance for all educators and deep meaning for me as a leader and father.

How do you think this will impact students?

My hope is that the presentation begins a schoolwide discussion that allows us to question our policies and practices to consider how they might contribute to the loss of deep focus that Hari warns us about. We can then consider what changes can be made to bring a sense of calm and focus to our students, thereby positively impacting their lives as learners and healthy young people.