When people see some things as beautiful
other things become ugly.
When people see some things as good,
other things become bad.

Being and non-being create each other.
Difficult and easy support each other.
Long and short define each other.
High and low depend on each other.
Before and after follow each other.

Therefore the Master
acts without doing anything
and teaches without saying anything.
Things arise and she lets them come,
things disappear and she lets them go.
She has but doesn’t possess,
acts but doesn’t expect.
When her work is done, she forgets it.
That is why it lasts forever.

See your students for who they are, not who you want them to be. See them for their individuality, see them for the uniquely jagged strengths, weaknesses and quirks. In this way no student is bad, and no student is good… they are just who they are. Their needs will be equally as jagged and quirky. Appreciate that which is beautiful within all students, but also appreciate that which is ugly. Observe their actions, but also be sure to understand those actions in context.

Avoid defining students so as to avoid the risk of confining them at the same time. If a student is defined and labeled as X, then the adults will begin to act in accordance with this definition and the student will begin to believe this of themselves.

TAKEAWAYS

A good leader sees exactly what is in each of their students without judgement. For judgement brings with it bias, which blocks objectivity, and this will undermine leadership.

A good leader sees the actions of the students in context with their occurrence. What may be going on at home that would influence this behavior? Is the student feeling disempowered somehow? Was their action a result of factors out of their control? Ask questions.

A good leader knows that there is no objective truth, and so does not act as if there is one.

A good leader does not place emphasis on control and compliance, but rather on respecting the jagged uniqueness of each student. When this happens, students will recognize that they are being cared for and empowered. The community will begin to self-control and comply with its own Tao. This is the true essence of a ‘Community of Learners’.

_/\_