We had three main objectives that we wanted to achieve with this project. These objectives were: 1. Acquiring a better understanding of the needs of the current generation through 21st-century teaching skills. Our vision was to allow as many teachers of our teaching staff to go to courses that provide information about 21st-century teaching skills and the 21st-century student. You cannot teach what you don't know. As simple as that. So our teachers got the chance to go to courses regarding this subject and they loved it. 2. Promoting career-long learning and modeling life-long learning for our students as well as intensifying teacher collaboration and the sharing of best practices. This second goal was probably the most underrated of all, but one that most teachers kept talking about endlessly. Our teachers made new connections with teachers and professionals from other countries, but they made beautiful connections within themselves. We got the chance to exchange experiences and learn from each other's strengths. This was one of the most enriching aspects of this project. 3. Gaining new and broader knowledge of activating didactics to increase motivation and participation in students.
Our organization is a prestigious secondary high school, offering education at the highest level on the island. Following the Dutch education system, our school has a longstanding reputation for excellence. For many years, it stood as the sole institution providing HAVO and VWO education, garnering recognition as a leading high school in Aruba. Traditionally, our students have been eager learners, motivated to acquire new knowledge and challenge their teachers. However, over recent years, this dynamic has shifted dramatically, exacerbated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decline in student motivation to learn, coupled with the growing generation gap between students and teaching staff, served as the catalyst for our project: Creating 21st Century Teachers. Our goal was to bridge the divide between generations, fostering closer connections between students and teachers. We aimed to reignite teachers' passion for education, equipping them with innovative teaching tactics to engage students effectively. Through this initiative, we sought to cultivate a learning environment where motivation thrives. We embarked on our mission, determined to revitalize teaching practices and strengthen bonds between educators and students.