Is it open?

This is another one of the thought-provoking images we have around school at the moment. I like this one because I find that so many of our youngsters accept the rigid ideas of their culture with no inclination to question anything at all. There is no striving for understanding or any recognition that there might be anything of value in the thoughts of others.

A good teacher relishes those light bulb moments with students who suddenly realise that there might be other possibilities, other ideas of value and so they start thinking. They might still reject the new ideas but at least the door is open and the light is working.

It's those moments that have always made teaching worthwhile to me - I just wish there were more of them!