Malcolm, a teacher, finds it challenging to keep students academically engaged and keep parents informed about their child's progress. The students only attend school 3 days a week and have contact with multiple teachers. Malcolm believes he could better engage parents and students if given more time and opportunity to build relationships. He has found success when spending focused time with individual students and their parents.

1. Empathize Map & Problem Statement
Louise Thomson
Melbourne, Australia

2. MODEL USED TO COMPLETE DESIGN CHALLENGE BRIEF

3. Teacher, Business
Professional, House Co-
ordinator, School Leader,
Relationship Builder, Parent,
Husband, Community
minded

4. Kids not academically minded, only there to
eat, they want to leave school however
parents want them to stay.
Kids come to school for three days to attend
five subjects with several ‘teacher’ touch
points: one teacher manages their Trade
school day, their house-coordinator, sports
coach, Pastoral care and a separate teach
manages their ‘work’ day.
During their three school days, it’s
challenging to keep their interest ‘high’,
keep them on task with work and keep
parents informed of their progress.
The Say:

5. He and many other teachers
have relationships with these
specific students.
He has good conversations,
communication and trust with
each student.
He calls ‘a spade a spade’.
The Do:
He feels challenged given the
curriculum & teaching
structure, student touch-points
with too many teachers & staff
and an inability to build
relationships with parents
who’s ‘ego’ get in the way.
The Feel:
I gather he thinks he
could change the
system if given the
opportunity.
He’s had success with
a couple of students &
their parents and this
could easily increase if
he had more time,
support and had a
better relationship with
the student’s family.
The Think:

6. Malcolm NEEDS a way to engage
the parents, students and
associate teachers to focus on
creating interest and passion in
their education and how it will
help their work situation in the
future.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Because Malcolm
knows that when
focused and caring
TIME is spent with
the student & parent
there is success.