In this very first ever blog (more in next week’s blog on my reluctance!), I thought I should explain my title choice, and therefore the general idea behind this blog.
Now, like the teacher that I am, I refer to the dictionary for the definition of “primary”, and find the following pertinent definitions:
4. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of primary school: the primary grades.
6. of the nature of the ultimate or simpler constituents of which something complex is made up: Animals have a few primary instincts.
7. original; not derived or subordinate; fundamental; basic.
9. Sociology . (of social values or ideals) conceived as derived from the primary group and culturally defined as being necessary to the welfare of the individual and society.
11. Electricity . noting or pertaining to the circuit, coil, winding, or current that induces current in secondary windings in an induction coil, transformer, or the like.
19. Astronomy . a. a body in relation to a smaller body or smaller bodies revolving around it, as a planet in relation to its satellites.
As an Assistant Head and Elementary School Principal at a bilingual school for grades N-8, I am not only surrounded by teaching and learning, but I learn something from our teachers and students every day. The contents of this blog will come primarily from noticing and thinking about the little/simple and fundamental (primary) aspects of childhood and school life, and the lessons we learn and connections we make from them. Primary relationships are what we build in order to be true global citizens, and there is a primary energy that runs through students that as educators, we try to tap into in order to ignite the passion, etc. Lastly, this blog will come from my perspective of being a body with lots of smaller bodies revolving around - a grown up amidst all these little people in primary school from whom I learn daily lessons.
*In 2020, the International School of the Peninsula (ISTP) formally changed its name to Silicon Valley International School (INTL) to better reflect its bilingual programs, location, and international values.
