Richard Joannides, Verita Schools: We need to change the model from didactic teaching, where teachers lecture to disengaged children

In an insightful exchange with Business Review, Richard Joannides, Founder of Verita Schools and the Verita Foundation, delves into the potential of integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) with traditional academic instruction. This discussion not only underscores the critical role of educators and parents in this journey but also sets the stage for the upcoming Learning Tapestry conference, where Richard envisions significant strides toward modernizing education to address contemporary global challenges and labor market shifts.

Richard, you emphasize a holistic approach in education, integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) with academic instruction. Could you elaborate on how this integration can be practically implemented in schools, and what challenges educators might face in this process?

We need to change the model from didactic teaching, where teachers lecture to disengaged children, to an interactive, project-based approach. Kids need to be more engaged. In today’s world, with constant bombardment from digital gadgets and screens, students must learn focus and attention skills. Our social-emotional learning curriculums help build these skills like a muscle.

How can kids become entrepreneurs, doctors, teachers, or scientists without focus and attention skills? Today’s kids often have the attention span of a rabbit. They need to build resilience in this ever-changing world. They must learn to fall down and get back up. Unfortunately, parents and educators often rob children of their failures, which are essential for building resilience. Children need to learn to manage anxieties and depressions, which are increasingly common. We need to incorporate self-regulation of emotions into the curriculum, as it reduces suffering and improves well-being.

The SEE Learning curriculum offers extensive training for teachers, including step-by-step strategies, lesson plans, and benchmarks that schools can implement. However, resistance from within organizations is a common challenge. The key is to get 10% to 15% of passionate teachers on board who believe in this approach and start with them.

Read more about

Leading through complexity: Uncover new paradigms at the Learning Tapestry Conference in Bucharest, 5th and 6th of June

read more

Incorporating SEL requires ongoing support and professional development for teachers to ensure they can effectively deliver these programs. Furthermore, engaging parents and the broader community in SEL initiatives can create a more supportive environment for students, enhancing the overall impact.

The Learning Tapestry conference aims to address multiple facets of education, from SEL to adapting to new labor market demands. What are your main objectives for this conference, and how do you envision it influencing the current education system?

There’s a crisis coming. We’re talking about economic disparity where twenty-seven billionaires have a net worth greater than half of the world’s population. Climate change, political dysfunction, tribalism, nationalism, and increasing instability and wars are all pressing issues. There’s also an epidemic of anxiety and depression among teenagers. We need to change the educational model to meet these future challenges. If we don’t, our civilization is at existential risk.

As a community of parents, teachers, policymakers, and schools, we need to radically transform the training and upskilling of our teachers. We must provide them with the tools, resources, and know-how to upgrade their skills and approach. It’s very challenging to do this at a political level due to bureaucracy. Therefore, we focus on working with teachers from the bottom up. Our foundation offers free courses, training, and curriculums to support this effort. Governments should implement widespread training for teachers, especially in Romania, where teachers are passionate and talented but under-resourced, under-trained, and overwhelmed.

Encouraging cross-sector collaboration between educational institutions, businesses, and NGOs can drive innovative solutions and share best practices. By creating a network of support and resources, the conference can foster a community of practice dedicated to continuous improvement and adaptation.

Compassion is a recurring theme in your work and this conference. How do you see the role of compassion in education evolving, and what specific strategies can schools adopt to cultivate compassion among students and teachers?

Compassion should be integral to the ethos and values of any educational institution. At Verita International School, our mission ensures that kindness is at the center of everything we do. Schools need to create an environment where students are not subjected to yelling or humiliation, as these practices hinder learning, growth, and development. Instead, fostering a culture of compassion helps in nurturing a supportive and productive learning environment.

We need to cultivate kindness and compassion not only between students but also among co-workers and within the school community. Taking care of teachers, parents, and students is crucial. Culture always trumps strategies, so making compassion a core part of the school culture is essential.

Implementing programs like peer mentoring, where older students support younger ones, can foster a compassionate school culture. Additionally, integrating mindfulness practices and restorative circle type approaches can further enhance empathy and understanding within the school community.

With automation and technology significantly impacting the future labor market, how do you think the education system should adapt to prepare students for these changes while still maintaining a focus on social-emotional learning?

It’s twofold. First, future job markets and large corporations will be looking for people with strong soft skills, who are socially and emotionally adaptable. Adaptability, resilience, and the ability to reinvent oneself are crucial skills. AI is making memorization-based learning redundant; content has become a commodity. Therefore, education should focus on teaching students how to learn, promoting independent thinking, and fostering student agency. This new way forward emphasizes problem-solving and critical thinking through project-based learning. Learning how to do and learning through doing are paramount.

Social-emotional learning is more important than ever because of AI and technology. It sets us apart from machines. These skills highlight our strengths and help us compete in the market—skills that AI cannot replace.

Integrating technology literacy into the curriculum is also essential. Students should understand not only how to use technology but also the ethical implications and potential impacts on society. This comprehensive understanding will prepare them to navigate and shape the future labor market effectively.

You mentioned the need for new pedagogical norms that focus on problem-solving and adaptive skills. Can you provide some examples of innovative pedagogical approaches that align with this vision, and how they have been successfully implemented in any educational institutions?

One innovative approach is project-based learning, where students engage in real-world problems and work on projects that require critical thinking and collaboration. Another example is the flipped classroom model, where students review lecture materials at home and engage in interactive activities in the classroom. These methods have been successfully implemented in various schools worldwide, demonstrating significant improvements in student engagement and learning outcomes. At Verita, we continuously integrate such approaches to ensure our students are prepared for future challenges while maintaining a strong foundation in social-emotional skills.

Teachers must evolve from traditional didactic roles to facilitators and storytellers, engaging children rather than simply providing information. This shift requires significant training, moving away from spoon-feeding content to fostering skills of learning to learn, thinking critically, and independently. Schools should focus on teaching students how to think and learn rather than merely what to think and learn.

Incorporating interdisciplinary learning, where subjects are taught in a connected and integrated manner, can further enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Additionally, using assessment methods that focus on student growth and mastery rather than standardized testing can better reflect students’ understanding and skills.

Overall goal:  We want to highlight the transformative vision for education that our team of experts from Emory and Verita International School are advocating. The Learning Tapestry conference aims to address crucial aspects of this vision, bringing together a community dedicated to evolving education to meet the demands of the future while nurturing compassionate and resilient students.