What is so great about Small Schools?

After my last post, I heard from many people in the social media world.  Apparently, I managed to omit the greatest benefit to kids and educators in small schools.  Thank you, Mrs. Deming.  Your comment has redirected my focus on this topic.  
 
Relationships.  The bonds built between the teachers and students in a small school can become familial.  Teachers have the opportunity to get to know each student and learn the specific needs of each of the kids in their classroom.  Educators in a small school quickly learn which kid needs a hug, a little break, something to eat, or a swift kick in the pants.  These educators know how to motivate their students without relying on compliance or threats to do so.  Ms. Rita Pierson told us "Kids don't learn from people they don't like" through the lens of student learning, relationships matter a great deal.  

Formative assessments in small schools are second nature. The smaller class sizes provide the opportunity for teachers to know which students "get it" and which students need some intervention work.  That said...Teachers who have built strong positive relationships with each of the students in their classroom will know the strengths of each student.  The teacher can focus on a student's strengths, we do this to engage the student into learning and solidify the student's weaker skills. 

In small schools, we build familial bonds.  WE care about each other, we take care of each other.  We celebrate one another's successes, mourn one another's losses, and challenge one another to get a little better each day.  The single biggest factor in student achievement and building student resilience is a loving, caring teacher making a positive influence in the life of a kid.  The relationships we build will make the difference in the kids of our school.