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Kailua High School Community Conference Facilitator Speaks Out As a student facilitator at the School Community Conference I experienced many frustrations that students never think about but teachers have to deal with daily.
The second annual Kailua High School Community Conference was held on February 2 and 3. The conference gave students and parents the opportunity to voice their concerns about the school and make suggestions for improvement. Participants were able to hear Mufi Hanneman, former director of the State Department of Business and Economic Development and Tourism; and Paul Brewbaker, a Kailua HS alumnus and economist with First Hawaiian Bank. The Bulikoko Band was there to end the festivities on Friday afternoon.
After having participated in the first conference, this year I wanted to be on the other end of the conference as a facilitator. I attended a workshop on January 30 to learn the skills of a facilitator. Ms. Okamuara led the workshop and taught skills such as leading the discussion with certain issues and voting on a procedure for everyone to agree on.
As a student facilitator at the School Community Conference I experienced many frustrations that students never think about but teachers have to deal with daily. In retrospect, I must say that teachers have to cope with the numerous problems that would seem to be impossible to handle from day to day.
I facilitated Academic Group #3. The group was made of mostly sophomores and freshmen, with only a few upperclassmen. I felt that I had acquired enough training to do well as a facilitator. Of course I've had a lot of practice speaking in front of large groups, but this was something for which I could never be prepared.
As a facilitator I was supposed to have led the group in a structured discussion, the end result being a proposal or plan of action for the school to carry out to benefit the students. I was confident that I knew what to do, but when I got to the class it was all different. It seemed so hard for the students to grasp what I was trying to tell them. I'd tell them to choose a phrase from a specified list, then group them with other similar phrases in the list. Unfortunately, they would repeatedly ask what to do or how to do it. Simple words to me weren't as simple to them. I was confused that they didn't know what I was talking about or had to ask me many, many times what I just said.
At first I felt hurt that they wouldn't follow the format that was given to me, but I soon realized it was better for them to simply voice their opinions than to follow ideas that were already preset. They suggested ideas such as improving the Day Care Center, making more classes available, and improving teacher style, content and communication.
I wondered why my senior classmates slowly disappeared from my class without confronting me first. It wasn't that I took their leaving personally; it was their lack of concern for the school. I can understand that after this year they don't want anything to do with this school, but improving your school is a completely different issue.
I was beginning to think more and more like a teacher. I wondered if they had any listening skills at all because the students would continuously talk and not pay attention. Not listening frustrated and irritated me because I had to repeat myself. Saying things over and over again is probably the most irritating anyone could possibly have to do. They also wanted an explanation for what I was telling them. I assumed I could just tell them what to do and they would do it, but no, I had to help them understand. I really acquired a crash course in teaching.
After the first session, I got to know some of the members in my class by playing cards with them. That made the situation of not knowing all the students much easier.
As the day went on I started to become comfortable with the class I was facilitating. I had confidence in what I said and encouraged others to participate in the discussions. The girls in my group made an effort to give their input while the guys were less likely to offer ideas.
The conference was a great experience for everyone who made the effort to participate with sincerity and a chance to share thoughts. I did learn that listening is a skill many of our students lack. The opportunity to see how teachers feel is something every student should have the chance at least once in their life.
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