Resilience: "I can do it!"

Topic(s) addressed

The project focused on the implementation of resilience as a subject through the design and completion of a curriculum. It also sought to implement art into the school, strengthen teachers’ resilience, and implement various projects to encourage resilience.

Target group(s)

The target group included 196 students with special needs along with 36 teachers and educators.

Methodologies

Resilience is a whole-school approach. Various methods of teaching and learning were combined to encourage resilience skills. Development of these skills was seen as a preparation for students’ future. Instead of only focusing on compulsory subjects, resilience was emphasised. A large network was built with experts in this field. To give some of the responsibility to the students and to spread the knowledge in all classes, the students parliament, two pupils from each class, participated in an exchange to learn more about resilience and democracy at school.

Innovation environment

The school emphasised appreciation. It offered students a safe space. School could become a second home, where students could ask for any kind of help. To strengthen the school community, many projects were completed that mix older and younger students. To achieve this, social workers were closely worked with. Collaboration with external parties was also important, such as the youth police, Borussia Dortmund Football Club, and many other partners.

Teachers’ role

Whenever someone came back from an exchange, they gave a lecture or presentation to the school and shared their experience. The presentation highlighted which practices could be useful for the school. Results were digitised and made accessible to everyone. This provided space for mutual learning, but also for questions and productive feedback, which led to improved wellbeing among the teachers. To build up these competencies, the school psychology counselling centre supported all teachers. Teachers can only teach resilience if they focus on their own wellbeing.

Impact and output

Students feel comfortable and safe at school while learning resilience as an important skill for the future. After just a few years, success can be seen. Through close cooperation with the training Centre for Teachers, the University of Dortmund, and other schools in the area, teachers could share their knowledge. Experiences were also shared during different job shadowing with teachers from Turkey, Belgium, Italy, and Finland. Erasmus+ provides numerous opportunities to support learners in the best possible way.