The Patty project

I have had opportunities to meet and work alongside some awesome teaching staff but sadly I’ve also heard and seen some less than satisfactory teaching practices.

What I dislike most in schools is hearing a teacher yelling and/or screaming at students (regardless of their age).

Growing up as an anxious child and then having one of my own I know how loud noises or a screaming teacher can impact your day and also your learning experiences.

In 2020 I started working in a high school once a week and within this role I had the opportunity to sit in on the welfare/wellbeing meetings; from these meetings and talking with individual teaching staff I learnt about the levels of stress some teachers were dealing with and also how terribly challenging some students can be.

My stance didn’t change, I still don’t believe a teacher should yell at a student but what I learnt was how burnt out many of the teaching staff were. They were so overworked, they lacked resources and/or time so it wasn’t hard to understand why some could lose their cool at the drop of a hat.

So, I did what I had done in my own home and I started printing quotes and information and sticking them up on the toilet walls (staff toilets) – I figured that everyone pees daily so whilst one is having a moment to relieve themselves they’d have a quick read or take a glance at one of the posters and hopefully that could influence a change of thought or reaction or provide a moment of reflection (for those who needed it).

***** At home while our kids were growing up we had the back of the toilet door plastered with quotes, information, pictures and whatever I found that could be of interest for my kids or provide them with something to reflect on and now that they’re older they have shared what a positive impact this had on them (and so have some of our visitors). *****

I recall one morning when I observed a young man waddle into school late; as he tried to explain why he was late the teacher spoke over him in a rude and condescending voice. Her response and her rudeness could have really negatively impacted on this young persons day.

This child could have had a hectic morning at home, he might not have had food or what if he slept in because his parents were fighting all night …. we never know what someone’s home life is like or what they may be going through.

I believe everyone should be treated respectfully – regardless of age or position and everybody should have the right to speak without interruption.

Every week I made an effort to update the messages on the walls with the hopes they’d reach those who needed them most and it was interesting to hear the conversations during the next team meeting when the staff started talking about the mysterious messages popping up on the walls.