The head teacher gives advice for a good start to the year: ‘Not every child needs to be an honors student’

“Some things don’t change. The best teacher in town is still here, at Dobriše Cesari Primary School!”

These posters, eight years apart, were put up by the students and parents of the Zagreb teacher Mihaela Koren. Her students show sacrifice and patience in Mihaela, and her parents show expertise and gentleness.

After more than 20 years in education, she is still enthusiastic about her job, and this fall she welcomes a new generation of freshmen. We asked her for advice at the beginning of the new school and teaching year.

What are you most looking forward to at the beginning of the school year?

Children make me happy the most. Their arrival after the holidays, excitement, questions, talking about what they did over the summer. Otherwise, I am especially happy when I feel our energy again in class and realize that another year of joint learning, laughter and new experiences awaits us. But this school year is special for me because I am receiving freshmen, a new generation of children and parents. Although every teacher worries a little about what kind of combination of students (and parents) she will get, I always think positively and hope for excellent cooperation.

What is the most important thing for students at the beginning of the school year?

The most important thing is that they feel safe and accepted. Everything is new to freshmen – the classroom, the teacher, friends, rules, schedule… That’s why they shouldn’t immediately emphasize how much they have to know, but they should be helped to like school and make new friends. It is important that they know that they can make mistakes, ask questions, be confused and that they always have someone they can turn to.

What should parents know or do, especially if they have first-graders?

The most important thing is that they have confidence in their child and the teacher. They don’t have to do everything for the child. It is much more important to gradually make him independent – to just pack his bag, get dressed, take care of his things, ask for help. when he needs it… And don’t compare him with other children. Each child has his own rhythm, his own talents and his own time.

What is the easiest way for children to get involved in the school rhythm?

Without much pressure. The rhythm is established or restored gradually. A few days before school, it is good to return to the usual time of sleeping and waking up, and after the start of school to have a clear daily routine. But children should not be immediately “burdened” with learning. A bit of play, a bit of conversation, a bit of responsibilities – and very soon you’ll catch the rhythm again.

How do female teachers get back into the school rhythm?

Sometimes it seems to me that female teachers have a harder time getting back into the school rhythm than children! For us, school actually starts long before the first day of classes. We arrange the school, especially the classrooms, prepare materials and students, make plans, solve the administration, make arrangements with colleagues… But honestly, I always like that return.

How to motivate children for school material?

I don’t think we can motivate children only with the words “you have to go in”. They need to be shown why something is interesting and why it can be useful to them. Learning should be connected with life, play, their interests and experiences. And above all, their efforts should be recognized. The grade shows how much you have mastered a certain material at that moment, but it does not say how much you are worth as a person.

What would you say to the parents of children who are “problematic”, restless and have difficulty concentrating?

First, I would tell them – don’t call your child problematic. The child is not the problem. The child has a problem that we should try to solve together. Let’s first try to find out why he behaves like that. Is something difficult for him? Is he bored? Does he not know how to enter? Does he lack attention, security or self-confidence? And when we discover the cause, we can try to eliminate it. Limits should be set for the child, but also show him that we love him even when he makes a mistake. You have to find what is good and start from there. When a child feels that someone believes in him, big changes often begin to happen.

What have you learned as the most important thing in working with students (and parents)?

That the relationship is the foundation of everything. Children must know that we respect them, that we love them and that we believe in them. Authority is not built through fear and imposition, but through mutual respect. The children themselves taught me that. And I learned something else – that we don’t have to turn every child into a genius. Our job is to help him become the best version of himself. To develop his talents, learn to work hard, be persistent, know how to help others and, above all, grow into a good person. Because when you meet a former student after a few years and see that he has become a good, honest, hardworking and happy person – then you know that you have done something much more important than that he learned everything that was written in the textbook.