This week, Mike looks at the importance of truly reaching young people in building the foundation of good teaching and learning in a Catholic school. (Photo: Charles Deluvio on Unsplash)

I have been blessed by the fraternal love of the Salesians of Bootle, which led me to the wider Salesian family and ultimately to the Lasallian family. To work, worship and belong to these communities, whose essence is to serve the young, is more than I deserve. I am very lucky.

Saturday night at St James' Bootle is Chinese night, and I know I am always welcome. My favourite is dish is the Dim Sum – especially ribs! I love ribs. Dim Sum literally means 'to touch the heart'. And this, it seems to me, is the very essence of education. To touch the heart of the youngsters in our care is our job. This is the art of teaching; what I call the pedagogy of love. It is something that is caught not taught.

As NQT mentor, I often start my programme with the Bartholomew Garelli narrative. For those who many not be familiar with the story, this is where Don Bosco saves a young boy from a severe beating by an overzealous member of the parish, by saying that the boy was his friend. Don Bosco's loving kindness touched the heart of the young waif and stray. The story presents us with two ways of dealing with young people who present challenges: the first aggression, anger, resentment and control; the latter, friendship, acceptance optimism and love. When mentoring NQTs it is important that they embrace the internal narrative the that second is the only way that they will touch the heart of their pupils and ultimately come to love them, in turn leading the youngsters to love back. This 'Dim Sum' method is not rocket science, but it needs daily practice. When this approach is the foundation for the scientific dimension of teaching, such as data-rich seating plans, meeting and greeting, well planned lessons, real teaching and ultimately, learning, takes place. This Dim Sum approach requires a consciousness which sees the youngsters as worthy of the very best. This mantra must constantly be repeated. When we as teachers see children as the enemy, and I am guilty of it, walls are built; when flipped, and we see the creative potential to do good, mountains are moved. I often remind myself that 'more bees are caught with a jar of honey than a jar of vinegar.'

Having a consciousness of joy and an optimistic outlook when working with young people is a creative force for good in their lives and in the life of the teacher. It is true that we will always come across pupils who present challenge. We can scream at them, choose a sarcastic comment, and we can watch as the flames rise higher as we pour the fuel on the fire. Or, we can win over the difficult pupil by trying to touch their heart. All children want clear boundaries and all want to be taught well! I was taught as an NQT, 'don't smile until Christmas'. This advice on many levels was good: by setting out my stall as a teacher who wanted the best for my pupils, by planning and delivering the best lessons I could, I ensured that I was entering into a relationship of loving kindness with my pupils. This is the first step in touching the heart. The teacher must constantly show the pupils that they care enough to want the best for them. Youngsters can spot a teacher who does not care a mile off and will let them know it!

What better guide can we have for this way of 'being' than Christ? The Gospel of John is clear on this: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 15:12). This love can manifest itself in a multitude of ways in the daily life of school. Love your children and they will love you back. Don Bosco reminds us, "It's not enough to love the children, it is necessary that they are aware that they are loved." A well-planned lesson or a freshly marked book are expressions of love. St John Baptist de la Salle said, "Example makes a much greater impression than words," and "the way you behave should be a model for those you teach." It is the example of the teacher that touches the heart.

As a child, I had amazing teachers who would take us on residential, plan discos, teach us well and mark our books. I wanted to be like them, they touched my heart and I in turn pray that I can be that affirming presence in the lives of my pupils.

In a world where success in education can mean many things, the most successful teachers are those whose loving kindness and self-giving love touches the heart of their pupils and nourishes them as a much a good plate of Dim Sum. This is what I call the Dim Sum approach. Let's invite our children to sit down with us and eat!

Michael Bennett