On a highway in Silicon Valley, a cryptic billboard posed a mathematical puzzle: 鈥渰first 10-digit prime found in consecutive digits of e}.com.鈥� The answer, 7427466391.com took curious onlookers to another equation. Those who answered correctly were then invited to submit their resume to Google. Why? Because curiosity is a valuable commodity. As the CEO stated: We run this company on questions, not answers.
This year, we have started one-to-one peer coaching amongst the staff. The goal is not to impart the right answers. Rather, it鈥檚 to ask the right questions. It鈥檚 about helping teachers create a culture of thinking in their classrooms.
And what鈥檚 it all about? Thinking for learning. We want to generate a culture where curiosity is encouraged. Where it鈥檚 ok to take risks and to make suggestions.
Today, as the coaches were being trained in how to coach others, they considered the power of modelling. When a teacher models what it means to be inquisitive, when they explore possibilities, when they admit that they don鈥檛 have all the answers, there is a significant shift in the learning environment. It鈥檚 then that students don鈥檛 need to be 鈥榬ight鈥�, but rather can be free to wonder, to embrace curiosity. This requires vulnerability on the part of the teacher, but this vulnerability leads to trust. Trust means that it is safe to take risks.
I鈥檓 glad that this is the kind of culture we are creating here at 国产自拍. After all, our world鈥檚 most exciting inventions and daring discoveries don鈥檛 come with reiteration but exploration. Curiosity creates challenge and that鈥檚 where learning begins.
Sam Glassock
Head of Secondary School