#192

With the school year (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) having started or about to start, it seems an apt time to share once again Rita Pierson's 2013 TED Talk Every kid needs a champion. Regardless of the age of the students, your rôle within the school and/or the type of school, I believe her central message is relevant to all in education.

With the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, the concerns (as reported in the media) of “lost learning” and the associated uncertainties of this coming year (be it related to on-line learning, the possibility of hybrid learning, exams etc.,.), Ms. Pierson’s TED Talk (with 12,000,000+ views) is all the more important and - despite being eight years old - still highly relevant. Ms. Duckworth’s sketchnote (see below) succinctly captures the key points from Ms. Pierson's Every kid needs a champion TED Talk.

As you embark on the 2021/2022 school year, I invite you to take to heart and act upon Ms. Pierson’s central message; to champion each and every child in your school. Wishing you a wonderful start to and all the best for the 2021/2022 school year! References:

• Duckworth, S. (2015) "Every Child Needs a Champion" based on TedTalk by Rita Pierson Twitter

• Pierson, R. (2013) Every kid needs a champion TED Talk