“I am not a thirteen-in-a-dozen, just like SintLucas.”
How are you the source of creativity and growth for students?
When students are stuck in a project, I give them input or inspiration. I now have an enormous amount of knowledge on books, architecture, music, films and other cultures with which I can help students move forward. In doing so, I give examples that capture the imagination. Examples of things that seem absurd. In this way, I show students what is possible and how you can use creativity in many ways. I also express as many strange concoctions as possible every day, so that the lessons remain exciting and innovative. You can quickly turn a screw in everything, but how about we make a beautiful wood connection today? A task then takes more time, but the final product becomes more beautiful. That’s how I stretch students’ perspective. And if a student is really completely stuck, I say: ‘Listen, close your laptop and go outside for a walk. I don’t want to see you back for another hour.’ Because the source of creativity is in everything!
What do you like best about working at SintLucas?
That I can be completely myself. I take life with a kilo of salt and I transfer that to students. I don’t mince my words and say what I think honestly, but I have a sweet edge. I show a lot of personal interest in students so that I can get the most out of the course for them. During lessons, I also feel and take the freedom to direct students in my own unorthodox way. With the approach: I do everything my way and that works, you do everything your way and that works too. That is why I sometimes deliberately take my hands off students. For instance, students are given the space to come up with their own proposals for assignments. When carrying these out, I sometimes let them have a good time. If I tell them everything, they learn nothing. If they cut corners, they are told. Would you like to apply for a shelf-filling job at the supermarket or would you rather get your degree here? But I mostly look at the positive. What does not succeed is usually only a small part compared to what does go well. It is precisely by pointing out the positive that students regain their energy and allow their abilities to reach their full potential.
Why are you a good fit at SintLucas?
The human aspect is paramount here. Students are not numbers, but people. I think that social aspect is super cool and suits me as a person. I love talking to students and really connecting with them. To look for pain points together and figure out how they can grow. That starts with genuine interest, trust and honesty. The fact that I am fairly crude lowers the threshold between me and the students. Students feel they can discuss anything with me. As a result, I know who I have in front of me and can help them better. In addition, I feel comfortable with the inventiveness and innovation within SintLucas. Every student is different. That always requires new forms of guidance and different solutions. Thanks to the good connections with the professional field, we as teachers regularly come up with new ideas for the content of lessons, guidance and solutions. And if I see a missed opportunity within the organisation, I suggest it. This also keeps us stimulating and challenging each other as colleagues.