I spend much of my time meeting with parents and students, discussing educational matters, and planing for the future. I typically start by asking for permission to show everyone my point of view. A “yes” or a nod of the head later I ask,” Who is important to you?”.  Learners will often look at me and their eyes will widen. One student recently replied, “No one has ever asked me that question before!”. He then looked at his mother sitting next to him and the two of them smiled at each other. Right from the start flexibility showed up ( as it usually does).

The question of who or what is important is the traditional beginning in presenting the matrix point of view (though not the only way). It is asked for a reason. It speaks to our shared purpose in whatever work we are engaging in. Asking the question immediately brings everyone into contact with whatever is inside of them that they hold dear (0r at least generates some curiosity about it). Is is an acknowledgment to the learner that there are people and activities that he or she values (we tend to value our “who’s” more than our “whats”). Unfortunately, we are not in the habit of asking these questions in educational circles. We are more in the habit of telling learners what is important to them. This omission is not just true of education but in most areas of living.  If we don’t know what is important to our learners we miss the opportunities to help them become aware of what each of them is interested in moving toward. When we have this knowledge we can help them notice what steps they are taking in getting where they want to go. We can also notice what actions we can take to help them. When we are not in touch with our “who’s” and “whats” we tend to wander and get a little lost.

From my point of view, our shared purpose in education is learning. We come together in this space called “school” (or whatever space you are in where learning takes place). It involves important people ( students, teachers, parents, counselors, principals, helpers, etc.) and actions ( going to class,  reading, asking/answering questions, socializing). How do we get on the same page to get folks heading in the same direction?

We can start with the acknowledgment that we all have people and things that we value. In matrix terms we begin by asking questions about what us important. In moving ahead as a group we will encounter obstacles that can get us stuck if we pay too much attention to them. Together, we can choose behaviors that keep us stuck in loops or we can  choose behaviors that keep us moving. When we can agree on the moves we can share responsibility for helping each other get there. When educators and learners use the matrix this happens frequently. The question of “who or what is important” becomes an ongoing conversation and more valued behaviors show up.