In 2021, teachers and educational developers organized three co-creation sessions with MBO teachers as part of a project of Leren voor Morgen. The sessions had two starting points: 1. inspiration and exchange and 2. co-creation: building new knowledge together. Each session focused on the role of teachers, but we always chose a different angle to look at this. What roles do new forms of education, circular education and building a circular economy require of teachers? This question formed the thread of the project and is also central to the final product. We focused on teachers in the mbo.
The role of teachers in circular education
Suppose you want to start a circular project or you want to make your curriculum circular. So where do you start? Or how do you deepen and broaden? One reassurance: you are often a pioneer, and that is exciting, but also provides room to experiment. Experienced pioneers in the co-creation sessions agreed. There is no right or wrong and models can quickly suggest a roadmap from A to Z. The practice is often not that linear. The path as a pioneer within circular education is often winding, meandering and can be more unruly, but also fun and valuable. In this manual follow a number of tools/outcomes that will help you "get on the circular road safely". In the guide you will find:
- An A3-sized printable poster on the eight roles of a teacher in circular education;
- An A3-sized inspiration sheet to hang in your team or teacher's room;
- A concise guide explaining how to set up a similar project/lesson series yourself;
- Tips, good practices and lessons learned from inspiring MBO teachers who have already set to work on circular education.
Have fun on your circular journey of discovery!
This project is a collaboration of: Marjan Nijenbanning-Pot (Terra mbo Groningen), Alco Otten (Alfa-college), Frank Kroondijk (Starbase 18), Ruth Pasternak and Anne Remmerswaal (SME), Daan de Kruijf, Sofie Kreté (Cooperative Learning for Tomorrow). Thanks also to all the participating mbo teachers: Daisy Beelen, René van den Broek, Francisco Navarro, Linda van der Zeeuw, Colien Langerwerf, Mark van der Pijl, Luba Spektor, Gaaike Eeuwema, Geert Nanne Bruining, Rosalie Roose, Ine Sturkenboom, Tjark Bos, Eliza Noordam, Marleen Linnenkoper, Hessel van der Zee, Jan Witteveen and Sjoerd Pool. Also thanks to Heleentje Swart of Spark the Movement and the people of the Suikerterrein Groningen and Alfa College Hoogenveen for the locations.
