This document outlines 5 superpowers of teachers: 1) Global values - modeling values of global citizenship, 2) Empathy - understanding students' perspectives, 3) Creativity - generating unique solutions and seeing possibilities, 4) Empower and Inspire - imagining possibilities and aspirations, and 5) Innovation - personal and joint quests for learning and experimentation. Examples are given for applying each superpower, such as integrating global issues, using stories to teach perspectives, divergent thinking activities, gender-inclusive language, and educator forums for joint innovation. The document encourages applying these superpowers to change the world but also reminds that even superheroes need a break.

1. I’m a teacher. What’s your superpower?
Sarah M Howell & Lisa Kester Dodgson

2. “Teaching is complex: don’t try to simplify what teachers do!”
Ian Mitchell PhD, Faculty of Education, Monash University
I’m a teacher.
What’s your superpower?

3. Basic powers…
• Subject knowledge
• Teaching strategies
• Classroom management
• Managing resources
• Pupil support “teachers make 1500
educational decisions a day”
www.teachthought.com

4. 5 superpowers…that change the world

5. Superpower 1:
Global Values

6. Global citizenship
UN Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs)
17 goals for the 2030 agenda
3 Health
4 Education
5 Gender equality
13 Climate Action
14 Life below water
15 Life on land
16 Peace

7. • Modelling a values-rich culture
• Content (not only CLIL!)
• Stories
• Songs
• Artwork
Applying your «global values» superpowers…

8. Integrating global issues in the
creative English language classroom:
With reference to the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk

9. Goal 15 Life on land
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

10. 1
1 2
3
4
8
5
6
7
9
10
11
12
RAINBOW BRIDGE 3A

11. A B C D
Where does your rubbish go?
D
RAINBOW BRIDGE 3A

12. The Rubbish Truck
________ go in the paper bin,
Recycling, Recycling
________ go in the metal bin,
Recycling, Recycling
________ bottles go in the glass bin,
Recycling, Recycling
Think before you throw it away
So we can use it another day
Here comes the rubbish truck.
Say hello to the driver and wave good luck!
Let’s recycle our rubbish today.
Crash, bang wallop, hip hip hooray!
________ ______ go in the plastics bin,
Recycling, Recycling
________ go in the food bin,
Recycling, Recycling
Everything else goes in the _______ waste,
Recycling, Recycling
Think before you throw it away
So we can use it another day.
RAINBOW BRIDGE 3A

13. The Rubbish Truck Song
Comics go in the paper bin,
Recycling, Recycling
Cans go in the metal bin,
Recycling, Recycling
Glass bottles go in the glass bin,
Recycling, Recycling
Think before you throw it away
So we can use it another day
Chorus:
Here comes the rubbish truck.
Say hello to the driver and wave good luck!
Let’s recycle our rubbish today.
Crash, bang wallop, hip hip hooray!
Plastic bags go in the plastics bin,
Recycling, Recycling
Vegetables go in the food bin,
Recycling, Recycling
Everything else goes in the general waste,
Recycling, Recycling
Think before you throw it away
So we can use it another day.
RAINBOW BRIDGE 3A

14. Think – Pair - Share
RAINBOW BRIDGE 3A

15. Look and say.
RAINBOW BRIDGE 3A

16. Superpower 2:
Empathy

17. Two common approaches to empathy:
• shared emotional response J L
• perspective taking – point of view
Character Education: 4 Proven Strategies for
Teaching Empathy, 2017
Donna Wilson, Marcus Conyers
Empathy is the ability to
understand and share the
feelings of another.

18. Applying your «empathy» superpowers…
• Model
• Teach point of view
• Use stories to teach different perspectives
• Listen actively
• Be aware
SHOW IT!
SHARE YOUR OWN STORY!
USE A GREAT STORY!
LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES AND HEART!
HOW EMPATHIC ARE YOU?

19. Before you speak,
Think and be smart.
It’s hard to fix
A wrinkled heart!

20. Building a community…
Diversity in
the
primary
classroom

22. Whiteboard prompts
MARVELLOUS MONDAY
Send a nice Monday
message to a friend
TERRIFIC TUESDAY
Write something great you
want to do this week
ONE-WORD WEDNESDAY
Describe yourself in one
word
FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY
Pick a name and write what
makes them a great friend
THUMBS UP THURSDAY
Write one good thing
this week

23. Daring to differ…
“one of Britain’s 100 most inspirational women”
The Guardian
“one of the top 10 children’s presenters of all time”
The Observer
Cerrie Burnell
BBC Children’s TV presenter, Actress, Author

24. Rainbow Bridge 4A
Rainbow Bridge 5A
Rainbow Bridge 3A
Rainbow Bridge 2A

25. Superpower 3:
Creativity

26. • Time
• Critical thinking
• Micromoments of creativity
• Crafts, lapbooks, interactives
Applying your «creativity» superpowers…

27. Divergent vs Convergent thinking
Divergent thinking is generating unique solutions and seeing various possibilities in
response to questions and problems.
Linear thinking, or convergent thinking, is about learning facts, follow instructions, and
solving problems with one right answer.

30. 4 Play the game. Ask and answer.

36. Real life tasks
• Creative thinking
• Language
• Life skills

37. Real life tasks…in practice
• Clear steps
• Support struggling students
• Learner autonomy

38. Superpower 4:
Empower and Inspire

39. • Imagine The Possibilities - Barbie.mp4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1vnsqbnAkk

40. Gender
• Mighty girls – characters
• Artwork
• Language we use

41. Aspirations…

42. Superpower 5:
Innovation

43. Applying your «innovation»
superpowers…
• Personal quest…and learning teaching
• Joint quest – forums, groups
• Textbooks and materials
• Professional development
• Educated guesses…experimenting…Eureka!
Personal
quest
Joint
quest
MaterialsPD
Educated
guesses

44. 5 Superpowers that make great teachers!
1. Global values
2. Empathy
3. Creativity
4. Empower and Inspire
5. Innovation

45. And now…
even superheroes take a break! J