Book: Doing Differently – A Solution Focused Philosophy at the School of Merit

Authors: Dr Jacqui von Cziffra-Bergs and Merritt Watson

This book shares the journey that the School of Merit embarked on to “do differently”. The school adopted a Solution Focused philosophy developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg to train teachers to become more strength-orientated and Solution Focused. The school wanted the teachers to focus on the children’s strengths and successes, and to see children as resourceful, capable and resilient. Read about how the teachers embraced Solution Focused Principles and changed them into teaching strategies and ultimately achieved its motto of “Dream… Believe… Achieve” in an incredible way. Changing the whole problem-saturated mind-set to one of strengths and solutions has allowed teachers, children and parents to dream again, to dream of possibilities and achievements.

Take a look at what the teachers have to say:

“I am not here to fix any problems, I am part of the process of solving the problem. Everyone learns differently, finding the strengths in learners makes learning easy. If we can find our strengths, we can learn how to use it order to achieve our goal. Doing Differently has helped make the learning process easier for me and for my learners”. Adele Coetzer

What an amazing gift we are providing to our children.  Imagine a world where the future lies in the hands of people who have the tools to find solutions to the perceived problems?  Imagine a world where people are accepted and respected for who they are?  Imagine a world where people see their self-worth, importance and value?  What a wonderful world!” Sue Kriel