Lecturer stresses need for adults in children’s lives

“Take Me to Your Leader!”  is the theme of the School Leadership Centre’s “Summer Institute” being held at Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s. This year, the keynote speakers are Dr Norris Haynes, Dr Frank Worrell, and Enid Lee. The three-day workshop, which started yesterday and ends tomorrow, seeks to give school leaders valuable mechanisms they can use to motivate students in the classroom. Yesterday’s session involved a lively address by Dr Haynes, as he emphasised the need for “personalised leadership for effective schooling.” Haynes is chairperson and professor in the Counselling and School Psychology Department at Southern Connecticut State University.

He described several factors, such as what is taught in schools, how it is taught, and the environment in which it is taught, as important in the learning process. Touching on the escalating crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Haynes explained that research studies in the US on young people and crime, found that a lot of young people who were in prison, were there because they were faced with a decision, did not know what to do, and chose the wrong path. He said many youths were not choosing well, or making “ethical decisions,” and this could be part of the problem. Dr Haynes also stressed the importance of adults, parents and teachers in the lives of students.

He said there was a “shortage of caring adults to help them (students) realise their goals.” He recalled the important role that his teachers,  mother and even neighbours played in his life. Throughout his address, Haynes emphasised the importance of not only academic facilities being put in place to help students, but also the need for other facilities to help with counselling and whatever other issues that may arise at school. After the keynote address, participants attended group workshops aimed at improving their ability to cope with situations at school. This is the fourth year the School Leadership Centre has organised this type of activity.