TEACHING| Building Bridges with Language in Education with Renes Lophanor

In this episode of 'How Do You Divine,' join us for an insightful conversation with Renes, a multilingual teacher based in the UK who has recently published his debut book on the educational system-I Still Love Teaching Despite Having All The Reasons In The World To Quit: Observations Of The Education System. Renes shares his journey into teaching, a path initially directed towards engineering, and how his love for languages led him to his true calling. We delve into the differences in educational systems across countries, the role of critical thinking, and how passion projects and hobbies like music can sustain a love for teaching amidst challenging conditions. Renes also offers advice for aspiring educators and stresses the importance of pursuing one’s interests outside the classroom to maintain a balanced and fulfilling career. Tune in to hear about Renes unique pedagogical methods, his experiences across different countries, and his continued passion for education and music.

Support Renes grab a book -https://www.amazon.com/Still-Teaching-Despite-Having-Reasons/dp/B0D9PCC68T

Thank you for listening and for adding new dimensions to your definitions. Keep growing, keep exploring, and keep defining life on your terms.

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Sanika is a storyteller, vibe architect, and crowd igniter—passionate about self-discovery, culture, and the power of words. With a background in technology and marketing communications, she’s built a platform rooted in authenticity and resonance. Whether commanding the stage or leading deep conversations, Sanika doesn’t just hold space—she transforms it. Her work inspires growth, challenges perspectives, and amplifies the voices that need to be heard most

As the host of How Do You Divine?, she invites listeners to redefine meaning, embrace transformation, and navigate life—one word at a time. Her mission? ...

Transcript

Sanika 0:51

Welcome to this episode of How Do You Divine, and today we are here with Author, teacher in Poly has published his debut book to share his experience as a teacher to highlight the necessary changes required in the education system. He's fluent in Haitian Creole, French, English, Spanish, and familiar with German and AK man of many languages. He brings a rich educational background to his writing, including a degree Novell University as a secondary school teacher, he explores various education facets and spans fiction and nonfiction genres. So we'd like to welcome ES to the show. Welcome.

Renes Lophanor 1:42

Thank you Sika, for inviting me to your podcast show today. It's a pleasure.

Sanika 1:48

Oh, thank you. I really wanted to explore the word teaching with you. Right. As a teacher in the United Kingdom, and I'm here in the United States, I think we often have the conversation about how the educational system varies in different countries, right. And what that means for people of various communities and how that could be better. But in addition to the system and outside of the system, I feel like you have so much to add to the conversation as a newly published author. So tell us a little bit about who is Ranez? How did you get into teaching?

Renes Lophanor 2:24

Oh, I got into teaching. Good question. But at the same time, quite easy. Before I entered university, my pathway was to become an engineer or an architect. So that led me to take math, science as an option at college I realized that's not where my heart was. That was becoming an architect or an engineer. That's what my dad wanted me to be. And I had always believed that's what I wanted and I was missing something. And that one thing I was missing was languages. So eventually I changed my options at

Sanika 3:05

Yeah.

Renes Lophanor 3:06

and carried on learning German and English literature, and that's where I found myself. And all that led me to teach languages today. And I'm, I couldn't be happier.

Sanika 3:19

Aw,

Renes Lophanor 3:19

So,

Sanika 3:20

I love that. You know, your purpose drew you closer to language, right? Because as you know, words are really important to me and how we speak and the language in which we engage really is important. And I think it's the underbelly of unity across the world. Right? And I think as much as we know that from a conscious perspective, no one really identifies that language. similar to like love languages are really important in how we communicate and how we unify. So tell me how language was the thing that was calling you when initially you were like, I should be an engineer. it's like, the pendulum swung really far.

Renes Lophanor 4:03

Well, I had always have knack for languages when when I was. Little under 10 years old. I was amazed by English. That was the language I used to hear on tv the most. And when I started secondary school, English was the first foreign language that I learned. I was so pleased. And there's one thing that I will never forget. I had a bilingual dictionary. A mini dictionary, French to English. English to French. I read that dictionary entirely. Just like a, a

Sanika 4:40

like a storybook.

Renes Lophanor 4:41

Yes, exactly. from front to back and any words that I liked, I wrote it on a

Sanika 4:50

Yes.

Renes Lophanor 4:51

and

Sanika 4:52

That is so

Renes Lophanor 4:53

became

Sanika 4:53

good.

Renes Lophanor 4:54

dictionary for me.

Sanika 4:55

Like

Renes Lophanor 4:56

And

Sanika 4:56

gonna say, you built your own dictionary similar, like almost like a journal.

Renes Lophanor 5:01

Yes, yes. And when I was in the metro in Paris,

Sanika 5:07

Yes.

Renes Lophanor 5:09

the line that I used to take to go to uni

Sanika 5:13

Mm-hmm.

Renes Lophanor 5:13

the one that comes from was Char Gold, the airport into

Sanika 5:18

Yeah.

Renes Lophanor 5:19

of Paris. So there were lots of tourists there and a lot of them speak English. And what I used to do, I tended to go and sit next to the English speakers and try and listen what they were saying to try and understand what they were saying and pick up words. And on a few occasions I happened to help them out because. They were lost. They didn't know at which stop to get up and say hello. I can help you.

Sanika 5:51

I know what you're saying. I can understand you. But that's really, that's so awesome because I also want you to recognize how you put yourself in a situation where learning became second nature to you as you was transitioning from your native language, which I believe is French. Right? And you wanted to learn English. So what you did was also immerse yourself in your potential future, which would be to have English as a secondary language.

Renes Lophanor 6:19

Yeah. I would precise that my native language,

Sanika 6:23

Mm-hmm.

Renes Lophanor 6:23

Haitian Creole

Sanika 6:25

Ooh, yes.

Renes Lophanor 6:26

one. English bird one?

Sanika 6:28

she, I hear you stack them up. First is Haha, Creole, then it's French,

Renes Lophanor 6:33

that's right.

Sanika 6:33

it's English. Oh my gosh. So, okay. As you are collecting these languages in uni, what made you go nexus German? how did it continue to evolve over time?

Renes Lophanor 6:45

For German, it's kind of a funny story. I never wanted to learn German. I wanted to learn Spanish

Sanika 6:53

Mm.

Renes Lophanor 6:53

my next language after English. So in, you call that eighth grade,

Sanika 7:00

Yeah.

Renes Lophanor 7:01

year nine in the uk. That's when we learn, we start learning a second language in France beside English. And that can be either German or Spanish. I wanted to do Spanish, but the class that did Spanish was overcrowded. I had no choice. They put me in the, yeah. so they put me in the, the German class.

Sanika 7:28

Yeah.

Renes Lophanor 7:29

man, that was a blessing, Sika. Why? Because of all, I don't think I would've decided to learn German myself like I did for Spanish later on when I was teaching qualified teacher

Sanika 7:43

Yeah,

Renes Lophanor 7:45

And

Sanika 7:45

it wouldn't be so sought out.

Renes Lophanor 7:47

yeah, and that class was the top set. And with great students and awesome teachers, the teachers supported me, supported us all. So well that I am still in touch with a few of them until today.

Sanika 8:06

Wow.

Renes Lophanor 8:06

German, my German teacher is one, Dominic Le, my math teacher, Luciani my music teacher. Madam Priva, even though in France the only instrument you learn in music lesson was the recorder. I was not interested

Sanika 8:26

Listen and listen, we're gonna talk about our love for music. No, but that, but I do you, that is so amazing that, again, something you didn't seek out, that you ended up being in, ended up eventually was one of the best things that ever happened to you. Not only because you learned a new language, but due to the environment it puts you in. Right. And how has those teachers and classmates who've now become, you know, mentors and friends of yours impacted how you teach your classes today?

Renes Lophanor 9:00

I mean, starting with the teachers, they were very supportive. Like as I said, my German teacher again starting with her, she made sure everyone. Contributed orally in every lesson.

Sanika 9:13

Mm-hmm.

Renes Lophanor 9:14

gonna leave the classroom unless you have said sentence, at least one sentence in German to the lesson. So it's always best to put your head up to answer a question that you know, you sure you know the answer rather than being questioned by,

Sanika 9:33

Yes, because she said, listen, like it or not, you gonna answer these questions and in

Renes Lophanor 9:37

Exactly.

Sanika 9:38

and in German. So also like forcing you to be present, right? Because we all remember our days either in uni or college here in the United States where you just showed up because you know you had to be there, but you don't wanna necessarily participate.

Renes Lophanor 9:53

yeah,

Sanika 9:54

See, again, teaching you skills moving forward to add to your tool.

Renes Lophanor 9:59

yeah, my math teacher used to organize, support session on, on a Saturday morning any student. You did not have to be in his math class to attend on Saturday morning, and he would bring in some pancakes and chocolate spread just out of his own pocket

Sanika 10:23

pocket.

Renes Lophanor 10:23

Yeah.

Sanika 10:24

to build that sense of community and desire to fellowship and learn and have you guys be in an immersive situation.

Renes Lophanor 10:31

Yeah.

Sanika 10:31

Oh, that was such a beautiful, beautiful experience as a student.

Renes Lophanor 10:36

absolutely. And but not least, my, French teacher, was the one who gave me the joy for reading. Before that I had never read, A novel Before I was not interested in reading.

Sanika 10:51

Yes.

Renes Lophanor 10:52

you know, like all boys who were more interested in, in

Sanika 10:55

Being outside.

Renes Lophanor 10:56

cartoons,

Sanika 10:57

Yes.

Renes Lophanor 10:57

outside. Yes. but for one piece of homework, she came in with a box of books and we had to pick one and

Sanika 11:06

Yeah.

Renes Lophanor 11:07

Prepare

Sanika 11:07

or a presentation.

Renes Lophanor 11:08

yeah, a presentation,

Sanika 11:10

Yes.

Renes Lophanor 11:10

that book. so

Sanika 11:12

That is, that's so good because I actually spoke to a co

Renes Lophanor 11:17

Yeah.

Sanika 11:17

of my colleagues actually these last few days, and he too, you know, a guy and he said, you know, I just feel like people in our generation, like mid, late thirties, forties, like, you know, he was just saying that he too never had a love for reading.

Renes Lophanor 11:33

Hmm.

Sanika 11:33

He never had a love for reading. So, you know, he met his wife, courtship, got married, and he was like, his wife just used to be so immersed in these books and would have these lengthy conversations with him about it. And he felt like he was missing something,

Renes Lophanor 11:49

Yeah.

Sanika 11:50

like, and started to listen to audio books. And then from audio books, he gave himself a a a goal to read two hardcover books every year. And he was like, I've kept to that goal. And sometimes it's more than two, but he's like, I listen to a audio book almost every day.

Renes Lophanor 12:11

Yeah.

Sanika 12:12

So it was just interesting how those experiences just open up your perspective and open up your framework. Right? Because like you said before, it was like, yeah, I like languages, but I'm not a lover reading.

Renes Lophanor 12:23

Yeah.

Sanika 12:23

Right? And that teacher brought that to you. So now fast forward your teacher, you found your love for languages, you've acquired all of these languages, and now you're implementing them in the classroom.

Renes Lophanor 12:35

Yeah,

Sanika 12:35

to me about how it is to be a teacher in the classroom in the United Kingdom and how we got to the book,

Renes Lophanor 12:44

to be in the United Kingdom.

Sanika 12:48

You know, the Royal, as they say.

Renes Lophanor 12:50

yes. It's, it's hard to be a teacher in the United Kingdom, because the status of teachers have been degrading over the decades I've been teaching for two decades now. And I have seen a, huge decline in the standard of teaching and the amount of support that we are, supposed to get from

Sanika 13:16

Yes, the systems

Renes Lophanor 13:17

the

Sanika 13:18

and

Renes Lophanor 13:18

but we don't get them. If anything we have been losing, support be it financial or

Sanika 13:28

infrastructure and things like that.

Renes Lophanor 13:31

and mental support for,

Sanika 13:33

Yeah.

Renes Lophanor 13:34

yeah, for colleagues. And there is an increase on the focus on standardized testing, which is something I personally try to do my best to, instill joy, the joy. learning to my students, the number of tests that we are supposed to do with them and for any assessment, which is not, an official one. I have my way doing it to make them more comfortable, more relaxed about it. I my students the choice of doing the test in pairs rather than on their own.

Sanika 14:26

Yeah.

Renes Lophanor 14:26

But I say also, if you accept to do in pass, that's fine, but each error you make would count for two points.

Sanika 14:34

Oh,

Renes Lophanor 14:34

that or do you want to do it on your own still

Sanika 14:37

love the little trickery there. so while there is a benefit to take a test in pair because then you will align in terms of, you know, two resources. That's two brains and two memories. And to apply to the test. It's also two times the consequence. So I like that because I think at face value you would think, oh, we can, you know, kind of pair to take a test. Oh, that's great so we can figure this out together. But also like, you know, with every benefit there is a consequence. So

Renes Lophanor 15:09

Yeah. it's for them to,

Sanika 15:11

I.

Renes Lophanor 15:12

to gauge the pros and cons and see what they want. And most of them for the pair work that shows the power of collaboration in human being. And that's something I always promote,

Sanika 15:25

I love that. And it also promotes critical thinking,

Renes Lophanor 15:29

Mm-hmm.

Sanika 15:30

right? Because it, in order for you to be able to collaborate with someone in order to establish a certain goal, you need to be able to have that level of critical thinking to walk through each question together, assess who has the right answer, why and why not, and have the ability to let I say like healthy debate to the successful goal.

Renes Lophanor 15:53

yeah.

Sanika 15:53

I wanna talk a little bit about the system, right? You have been a teacher for two decades, and as a parent, I can tell you my perspective on why I think the educational system has continued to diminish over time as someone who comes from the inner city in New York and now living in Nassau County with my family. And it's a totally different system. I have my view as well as one of my best friends and like sister to me as a teacher, like I told you. And she's also been teaching for over two years. So we talk a lot about the school system, but I wanna ask you, what do you think the ultimate goal with that is? And there's been a lot of conversations around teach to the test. Ultimately you're just teaching kids to pass tests, right? They're not teaching for comprehension. There's so many conversations. So I wanna hear what your thoughts are.

Renes Lophanor 16:44

According to the curriculum

Sanika 16:46

Mm-hmm.

Renes Lophanor 16:46

the examples, are encouraging you teach to the test. And we know, or at least I know, that this is very limiting for the student to be able to use the language. they are learning in real situation. So, and that's why a lot of them, as soon as they finish their test, they either don't remember anything they've learned because they were learning it for the test, not with any, particular further use, after that.

Sanika 17:23

Yeah,

Renes Lophanor 17:23

and because there was no incentive for them to really memorize and use that knowledge

Sanika 17:31

No. And it's so interesting you say that'cause I so you know, I have two daughters, 16 and 12 and I was speaking to my friends and my daughters the other day about the difference between intelligence and knowledge, right? I think anyone can acquire knowledge, but intelligence is the implementation of knowledge via critical thinking and strategic application, right? That's what in intelligence, in my perspective,

Renes Lophanor 17:58

I

Sanika 17:58

and that's what intelligence is. So you can be knowledgeable in many different topics and just have that insight that equals to your intelligent, right? And I think a lot of the changes that are happening in the school system is in an effort to create humans that are able to be knowledgeable, but do not have the tools to gain intelligence.

Renes Lophanor 18:24

And that's why the students strongly believe that if they do not pass a test or an exam, they are worthless.

Sanika 18:34

Hmm.

Renes Lophanor 18:34

And, and that's,

Sanika 18:36

is so not good. It's horrible. it's so wrong because I'm so glad as someone who is a teacher. Right. And you know the system and you know how well the system used to be as someone who is also a student. I feel like I had the benefit of going to school in New York City. I also went to school in the Caribbean, in Jamaica, and so I've seen varying school systems. I went to private school, both in New York and in the islands. I've gone to public school. so I've seen the

Renes Lophanor 19:06

So

Sanika 19:07

and experienced.

Renes Lophanor 19:09

the same background. Yeah. Public school, private school, Haiti, France, England, so, yeah.

Sanika 19:16

So I have seen the curriculum in various different states, right? And I think it also made it very easy for me to identify the intent behind a curriculum.

Renes Lophanor 20:18

Hmm.

Sanika 20:19

Right. Some curriculums and agendas and even like just ball plate lesson plans, right? Because I feel like not all parents and just our listeners who don't have kids or just an adult trying to learn in the world, a curriculum doesn't necessarily have to be the entire system of learning. It can be something as simple as the agenda to a meeting or the content to the context table to a book, right? What are you trying to get out of this time? And this information that I'm giving you and I have seen that overall structure diminish to the point that critical thinking is no longer required to progress along the system.

Renes Lophanor 21:05

Talking about critical thinking every week with my tutor group. I don't know if you have tutor group in the US as well.

Sanika 21:11

No. What is that?

Renes Lophanor 21:12

The tutor group is a group of students that a teacher is responsible for as a, tutor.

Sanika 21:21

Okay.

Renes Lophanor 21:21

teachers. And so we see group of students, which is

Sanika 21:26

Mm-hmm.

Renes Lophanor 21:33

eight 30 to nine, so before the first lesson.

Sanika 21:38

Nice.

Renes Lophanor 21:38

tutor is the first link between the parents and the school. And so we have a pastoral relationship with those students. So what I do with my tutorial group once a week, I call it roughly she, means to think in French. and I put one question on the board that we debate about the latest one we had was would you trade. year of your life for$30,000, how many years would you trade? And that made them think. And the discussions, the discussion is so adult like because they are used to, to do it. Other topics were we be scared of death? What is love? And so on.

Sanika 22:30

I love this.

Renes Lophanor 22:31

in a democracy

Sanika 22:33

This is amazing.

Renes Lophanor 22:34

They love it.

Sanika 22:36

I love these questions, right? I love these questions because they not only force them to think beyond their current circumstance, which is a part of intelligence, the ability to see beyond your existing and also closely align with your faith, right? to know that it's, it's possible. But the fact that this happens at the beginning of the school day, which is like, you know, fresh and every, and then the tutor essentially is your point of contact to the parent versus the teacher. Walk me through that. That is that sounds like a great system because ultimately the teacher is there for

Renes Lophanor 23:11

like it.

Sanika 23:12

Yeah, the teacher is more I wanna say they're the one providing the service, right? They're the one more tactical where this tutor sounds more like the counselor, the person bridging mental and emotional wellness with education. Talk to me about how that even came about. I like this.

Renes Lophanor 23:34

yeah. Absolutely. And wow. I've been doing that with my tutorial group since they started, secondary school, so in year seven. Now they're near 10. So that's, we've been doing that for four years now. And so you can imagine how good they

Sanika 23:51

You have these

Renes Lophanor 23:52

reasoning.

Sanika 23:53

group of kids?

Renes Lophanor 23:54

Pardon?

Sanika 23:55

Is it the same group

Renes Lophanor 23:57

Yes. The same group. We keep our tutor

Sanika 23:59

could you imagine how

Renes Lophanor 24:00

they leave the school.

Sanika 24:02

to each other as well?

Renes Lophanor 24:05

Yeah. So,

Sanika 24:07

Tell me.

Renes Lophanor 24:08

and oh, that's, and for every reason. Oh, we always start by defining the term in the question. For example, a question, are we living in a democracy? That was one of the question and the. The first person who put their hands up would say, what is democracy? Let's define democracy. Let's agree on the definition

Sanika 24:33

My heart.

Renes Lophanor 24:34

and

Sanika 24:34

a child of my own heart. And not to interject, but I wanna say that that is so important. So one of the reasons I created this podcast is to also help people understand that it is impossible for you to be a part of a conversation around any topic or word or anything unless you ensure that our definitions to what we are exploring is the same.

Renes Lophanor 24:57

Yeah. The must alive. Otherwise we will both be right, but in our own way.

Sanika 25:04

two different worlds, which

Renes Lophanor 25:06

world.

Sanika 25:06

is not a bad thing. But the whole point to me, and the, the intention, the essence behind a great conversation is to share and to learn and to connect. Right? And in order to do those three things, we have to be aligned on the base definition of what we're even discussing. So I love that every time you pose these questions to the students, there is a smart hand that goes up and go, what does that even mean? So walk me through that. I loved it.

Renes Lophanor 25:37

And yeah, and a lot of them didn't even know the words. Oh, the one I used, one I used success. I asked them, what success? That's a word you use every day.

Sanika 25:54

Yeah.

Renes Lophanor 25:55

it to talk to you every day. You hear every day you think you know what it means, but can someone, can someone explain to me? And you get a reward if you manage to. And they'll start and they get muddled up, have no idea. And, oh, so actually we know You really dunno. it is a way to make them. Be aware of their own limit to encourage them to ask, for help to define words they don't know or if they need help with anything else in general,

Sanika 26:28

Yes.

Renes Lophanor 26:29

life to seek help and do not pretend, you know, something

Sanika 26:35

When you.

Renes Lophanor 26:36

yeah, one thing I often do if I would ask, oh, is there anyone who does not understand this, the board during, during normal lessons as well? And I look around because I know, who is less likely to know. And you see maybe one or two hands up. I said, okay, so guys, you know, So that means you guys don't know. That's why you put your hands up. Thank you. So that means the rest of the class, they all know. So I can pick any of you to explain. And if you caught, you'll be in trouble with me. That means you lying. So I'm gonna give you another chance. Is there anyone who doesn't understand

Sanika 27:13

exactly.

Renes Lophanor 27:13

hands

Sanika 27:14

I love it. Holding them accountable at an early age to their own success, their own learning. That is amazing. That is a great tool, and kudos to you for not only creating a space where they're comfortable saying, I don't know. But they're comfortable inquiring for that information. They're comfortable saying, I need help. They're comfortable saying, can you explain that a little bit more? Right. Because I think in class settings as well as out in the corporate world, people are afraid to say, I don't know, out of fear of looking incompetent.

Renes Lophanor 27:52

Exactly.

Sanika 27:53

I have this running saying that there's no such thing as a stupid question because the desire to ask a question is a sign of intelligence. So why sit there and nod and uhhuh

Renes Lophanor 28:05

Mm-hmm.

Sanika 28:05

you have no idea what I'm saying? So then we're gonna continue down a conversation and you won't even be with me. I love that you just turned it around on them with that. Okie?

Renes Lophanor 28:16

Yes. So if you don't ask the question, if you don't put your hands up, you don't put your head up because you don't want to look stupid to the others.

Sanika 28:26

Mm-hmm.

Renes Lophanor 28:26

But if you don't put your hand up, that's what will make you be stupid in a way,

Sanika 28:32

Yes,

Renes Lophanor 28:32

you will not know the meaning as will progressing and you'll be left behind.

Sanika 28:37

yes.

Renes Lophanor 28:37

that shows you

Sanika 28:38

And

Renes Lophanor 28:39

what you don't know and you want to know. Clever.

Sanika 28:41

absolutely.

Renes Lophanor 28:42

Yeah.

Sanika 28:43

building blocks, right? It's foundational and how you have to be willing to always be a beginner.

Renes Lophanor 28:50

Yeah.

Sanika 28:51

So tell me about how we came to be an author. How did you, so you're a successful teacher, right? I love, as you've shared with us these tools, not only to teach these children the criteria and the curriculum that they need to learn to move on to their next stage in their life, but also their wellness, their overall wellbeing and their ability to think critically in every scenario beyond these tests, right? We have called them statewide tests. These standardized testing you have made the conscious effort to do. Do what is need to, what you need to do, right to tot the line of the system, but also ensure that as a two tour, you are providing that level of insight and guidance and encouragement to these children so that they become productive human beings in the world. So tell me how one day you go, I'm gonna write a book.

Renes Lophanor 29:45

I wanted to write a long time ago, but what I wanted to write was my autobiography because to me, my journey is so interesting and with lot of curves and ups and, down, starting in Haiti and being now in England, having gone through France For over 10 years and, and father of two children. So I thought, oh, life is really interesting compared to my first 10 years, my teenage years in France and my adulthood in England. I can inspire a lot of people. But then as I started drafting the outline, who's gonna want to read my autobiography when nobody knows me? I've not done anything for anyone yet to be interested in finding out more about my life. So decided, okay, I'm gonna write all the books that I wanted to write as well. Science, fiction books and nonfiction. So I decided to finish this one and publish it first and to make my mark with book because education plays such a huge role in my life. and also I wanted to bring something that can inspire fellow teachers, parents, policy makers, to see what's working in the system, but also what has been working for me

Sanika 31:28

yes.

Renes Lophanor 31:29

and be inspired by that.

Sanika 31:32

Needed.

Renes Lophanor 31:33

'cause it won't work for everyone. We would

Sanika 31:35

Yeah.

Renes Lophanor 31:35

because what works for me my personality as a person as well. So it might not work

Sanika 31:42

Listen, we're thousands of miles apart from each other, and I still found your book to be insightful, especially the title. Right? I thought the title grabbed you. I still wanna teach despite this. You know, I still, and I think, yes, go ahead.

Renes Lophanor 31:59

I still love teaching

Sanika 32:01

I still,

Renes Lophanor 32:02

all the reasons in the world to quit.

Sanika 32:05

yes, and I think that's such a powerful title, right? Because I think everyone, teacher, parent, even if you're not a parent, understands the school system and the difficulty that. Not only the system, but the tools that you're given. So everyone can relate because they know like, ooh, despite the system, that means he is, you know, you're gonna give us some insight and also walk us through that love that you have for it, right? And how you've been able to navigate the hills and the valleys of the changes in the system despite the policies, the parents, right? There's so many different factors to actually executing the job of being a good teacher, right. It's not just in the classroom. There's so much around that. And tell me the things that have, like, sued you and, and carried you through those seasons.'cause we see some instruments back there. Tell us about, tell us about the things that drive you, the love for music.

Renes Lophanor 33:07

The love for music is something that is innate to me. You know, I'm from the Caribbean, I'm Haitian, you know what is like, so and the piano is the first instrument that I learned to play. It's the instrument I had always wanted to learn, but I never had a piano. And I had one music lesson in my life, one. And after that, one lesson in Paris, I was in Paris. The teacher was so impressed by my will to learn that. She said to my parents, okay, res will need to have a piano to practice at home.'cause he's, he's really on it. and we had to look at the price of pianos. That was it. Too expensive. So that was,

Sanika 34:04

No, I

Renes Lophanor 34:04

me.

Sanika 34:05

That is, that's so funny that I recall the story for myself. I was probably like eight years old. And I told my mother I wanted a, a computer, like a desktop computer.

Renes Lophanor 34:14

yeah.

Sanika 34:14

She was like, oh, what do you want for Christmas? I was like, a desktop computer. She looked at me like I had 10 heads. Like she was like a what now? A computer. So we went down to, at the time, PC Richard. Okay. So that we can look at the computer prices. We looked at the computer and she looked at me and it was like, she said this, this child clearly has lost her entire mind

Renes Lophanor 34:41

yeah,

Sanika 34:42

she thinks we have the money. She was like, good thing you go to the library.

Renes Lophanor 34:51

yeah. So I had to teach myself in the end

Sanika 34:54

Nice. So when did you get your first piano?

Renes Lophanor 34:58

when a story that you trust me, want to hear a separate podcast because if I shorten the story, it won't have the same

Sanika 35:10

Same grit? Yes.

Renes Lophanor 35:13

But I'm happy to,

Sanika 35:16

No, no, no.

Renes Lophanor 35:16

what's

Sanika 35:17

So what we can say is, so you got your first piano, you continued to play. How has playing the piano helped you through different seasons of your life? Right? You're a dad, you're teaching, you're dealing with this difficult system. How has music and your instrument of piano How has that assured you in this time? Throughout this time? How has it, yes. How is it comforting you?

Renes Lophanor 35:42

that's what it has taught me. The discipline to be disciplined and to practice, practice, practice. Whatever I want to achieve, I can achieve. And that has helped me in my life as a father. I wanted to be young when I had my children, you know, by age 23, married and got them so that we could. Play games together and grow together. And I didn't want to be a granddad, having children who are, toddlers Exactly. So until today, we're like brothers. when we are doing things and we have so, many videos, memories that we've built, along the years, films that we've made of ourself. We wrote the scripts and, the movies

Sanika 36:33

So you guys shoot your own like skits.

Renes Lophanor 36:35

yes,

Sanika 36:36

an

Renes Lophanor 36:37

For,

Sanika 36:37

experience.

Renes Lophanor 36:39

From age one, two until the late teenage years.

Sanika 36:45

That is so beautiful that you guys write your, so did you teach your children how to play piano?

Renes Lophanor 36:50

Yeah. The piano, the bass, the guitar, the drums.

Sanika 36:54

Lemme find out. Y'all like a little Jackson Five over there.

Renes Lophanor 36:56

just Jackson three.

Sanika 37:00

Yes. Listen, we can remix it. Have y'all out here like. How your little dance moves together. I love that. So tell me, how often do you get to play

Renes Lophanor 37:12

I play regularly, I would say almost every weekend, performing a solo, artist or in full band across the country. And with the occasional, overseas game, during school holidays,

Sanika 37:27

Nice.

Renes Lophanor 37:27

So what I will not allow you to do is just casually throw that under it. Like you are not a performing musician as well as a teacher and an author. Okay. We're not just gonna casually like, yeah, I take overseas gigs. I'm, you know, my band performs every other weekend.

Sanika 37:46

You are also a performing musician, a paid performing musician.

Renes Lophanor 37:51

Mm-hmm.

Sanika 37:51

us about that. how have you been able to navigate that as a teacher and a dad?

Renes Lophanor 37:56

Well, practically that's what helps me still enjoy teaching. The fact that I'm able to pursue my hobbies outside of,

Sanika 38:06

Endeavors.

Renes Lophanor 38:07

Yeah. so that I leave the school premises, at the end of the day, I leave everything behind. I am in my new world, the new me. So that way when I return to school in the morning. I am happy as well because I've had a good time outside the school and when I'm in, I'm ready to have another good time during the school day. And so that's what I encourage colleagues to try and do, is to pursue their own outside of the school building and try to take as little as possible of school, work, home so that, you know.

Sanika 38:50

So smart.

Renes Lophanor 38:51

healthy.

Sanika 38:52

Yes, and that is so smart and it is extremely healthy, right? I work in technology, essentially corporate America. My husband works in law enforcement and a lot of our friends and our family, we talk about this all the time, the importance of having your own passions and your creativity.

Renes Lophanor 39:11

It does not, it's not in competition with your professionalism at all, right? It actually feeds your professionalism because you have the ability to have your creative endeavors and not all of them have to be like a platform and generate revenue, but as long as something that you're pursuing and you're happy doing outside of work, but also helps you evaluate your influence within the workplace, right?

Sanika 39:39

Either it being a school or boardroom, whatever it is, we all have. A limit to our influence when we are working for someone else. And I think in order to honor and respect that position that you hold, we need to be able to assess our actions and not be overly invested to the point that you think you run the place, right? But understand that this is a service I'm providing, which I enjoy, right? Because you love teaching and you pour so much into these kids beyond the description of your job.

Renes Lophanor 40:12

Yeah.

Sanika 40:13

then you also feed yourself in a way that has fortunately, you know, also generat a revenue. Come on, paid gigs overseas, like, you know what I mean?

Renes Lophanor 40:24

and I bring my music skills to the, the classroom occasionally as well. So it's, it's a win-win, bringing your, your hobby in your place of work. That's, yeah, for me it's, it's the music, but it can be anything. It can be art, drawing and Yeah, anything.

Sanika 40:47

And what has that taught you?

Renes Lophanor 40:49

Pardon?

Sanika 40:50

Oh, I love that you said the kids. The kids love that. And I said, what has it taught you?

Renes Lophanor 40:54

the fact that the teachers do other things other than teaching the subject that they teach, because in their mind. teacher, a math teacher, can only teach math and nothing else. A French teacher can only teach French. Nothing else. Seeing the teachers doing I don't know, doing a marathon or playing an instrument playing in a bar or for them. What, that's, that's not right.

Sanika 41:19

You're a whole human being.

Renes Lophanor 41:20

yeah, that's not possible.

Sanika 41:22

What?

Renes Lophanor 41:24

Yeah,

Sanika 41:24

But then it also helps them be so much more compassionate,

Renes Lophanor 41:29

yeah.

Sanika 41:29

right? Because now they begin to see you as a entire human being.

Renes Lophanor 41:34

as a human being, that's it.

Sanika 41:36

Now you remind them of their mom and their friends and their uncles and their family member.'cause they're like, wait, Mr. Es out here playing, playing the kids like for fun. What songs, you know, and then you start to relate to them and, and when everything that

Renes Lophanor 41:54

respect. you gain natural respect from them.

Sanika 41:57

yes, Because in everything we do, I think sometimes when we occupy these spaces, like a school or a corporate space, we begin to see people as their titles.

Renes Lophanor 42:07

Yes.

Sanika 42:08

You begin to see people as their role. Like you are the French teacher, you are the CEO, so you're no longer a human being. You're no longer a dad. You're no longer the person that loves to cook, and without this crack

Renes Lophanor 42:22

Mm.

Sanika 42:23

this or you as an individual leaving this space for who you are to shine through beyond your role, I think it starts to diminish a light in us as a human being, right? Then that's when bitterness and angry come up, and then you can't even love to teach anymore because of the system, because then all that's your focus, right? Your, your entire focus is, ugh, this system. I used to be able to have these books and these laptops and all, and now I have nothing, and now that energy where you could have been pouring into knitting, singing, painting, something that brings you joy, you're essentially thrown in away in something you can't control.

Renes Lophanor 43:01

Yeah. And it doesn't happen only to the kids, it happens to adults as well. And I'm speaking from experience. one colleague, one deputy head which was very strict. Everyone was scared of her. When I say everyone, the kids and the staff, outside, of school, during a school trip, that she took part in she was completely person as a friend, like

Sanika 43:36

Yeah.

Renes Lophanor 43:37

that was impressive. And that, that was a turning point for me. Which made me, be conscious that that's the way the kids perceive us as well. And that reminded me of the way I perceived my own teachers when I was in school as well.

Sanika 43:58

Yes.

Renes Lophanor 43:59

taking all that into account, I tried to change that perception and help them see us as human being and as well, rather than just the teacher.

Sanika 44:11

Yes. Because there's so much more to us, right. Than our roles. And you sound like, like myself, a lifelong student. Right. And you've learned so much throughout your journey as teaching, learning languages, being a musician. What stands out the most to you? Right? when you come across someone who's like, I wanna be a teacher, but I know it's a hard road. Right? What stands out to you as something that you would advise, if not an inspiring teacher, just another inspiring adult who've been in, who has been in an industry for two decades like yourself, and they want to find room to pursue their creativity and their happiness. What, what advice would you tell them as a teacher? I.

Renes Lophanor 45:01

to think what they liked doing before they became a teacher, not to put that aside at all when they actually. Become that teacher. and I would like what they would, it would be beneficial for them to keep on feeding that interest that they had before entering the profession and, and sustain that and even if possible, developing further hobbies for outside of school and,

Sanika 45:37

of school in your career, it helps. It helps you become more substantial, in my opinion. Right?

Renes Lophanor 45:44

Do not

Sanika 45:45

Not.

Renes Lophanor 45:45

be your cent the cent of your life.

Sanika 45:48

Yes, because it makes you become a more substantial human being because you have the ability to pour from a full cup.

Renes Lophanor 45:57

Yeah.

Sanika 45:59

Right? Not only as a teacher, but as a professional, because especially as a teacher, you are molding the minds and the hearts of the future.

Renes Lophanor 46:07

You know, why teachers should be hide there in the hierarchy of, society, just like doctors, surgeon, I mean in societies like Singapore, Finland, China, Japan, that's where they are.

Sanika 46:22

Yeah.

Renes Lophanor 46:22

are well respected and, well compensated

Sanika 46:26

Mm-hmm.

Renes Lophanor 46:27

For that reason. They feel happy to do the profession and they get more respect from the society in general. the results are there as well to show that these countries are often at the top of the pizza list

Sanika 46:44

yes.

Renes Lophanor 46:45

Yeah. So,

Sanika 46:47

a hundred percent, and I'm so glad you brought that up. Right, because I don't think people understand the full gambit of the perception of a profession. Right? Because like you said, in China, teachers are highly regarded,

Renes Lophanor 47:03

Yeah.

Sanika 47:03

Because students in China, I just saw an article that children in elementary school in China are learning how to do surgical stitching.

Renes Lophanor 47:16

Yeah. I saw video recently.

Sanika 47:19

Okay.

Renes Lophanor 47:20

week. they, can we should stop overprotecting the children.

Sanika 47:26

I It's sweet that you say overprotecting, I call it with a spade a spade. Dumbing them down.

Renes Lophanor 47:31

yeah, it is.

Sanika 47:32

them down. Because as someone who has gone to private school, who has gone to public school, who has been ra, like, gone to school on the islands of Jamaica, and I remind people while you've watched all the movies about Jamaicans and Rastafarians and weed and all this, and reggae and all that, the national, that means the entire island of Jamaica,

Renes Lophanor 47:54

Yeah.

Sanika 47:55

average of students is 4.0.

Renes Lophanor 47:59

Hmm.

Sanika 47:59

like, that's not a guesstimation.

Renes Lophanor 48:01

Yeah,

Sanika 48:02

I remember it being in school and it was a competition about learning and applying and debating. Do you understand what I mean? And so now where these first world countries, air quotes,

Renes Lophanor 48:19

Mm-hmm.

Sanika 48:21

they're

Renes Lophanor 48:22

quotes

Sanika 48:23

exactly, we are teaching. it's beautiful that you say they're protecting the students, whereas I feel like they are actively done

Renes Lophanor 48:31

Overprotecting.

Sanika 48:32

Yeah.

Renes Lophanor 48:33

Yeah.

Sanika 48:33

them from education.

Renes Lophanor 48:35

Yeah.

Sanika 48:36

How

Renes Lophanor 48:37

No, protecting

Sanika 48:38

how do you compete on the world stage? How do you compete on the world stage when teachers aren't as regarded as much as doctors and professionals when they are the ones guiding and.

Renes Lophanor 48:54

the society. I mean, it's so blatant. We are shaping the next generation. Teachers could basically destroy a whole country,

Sanika 49:11

They wanted to,

Renes Lophanor 49:11

just if they wanted to.

Sanika 49:13

and I'm telling you,'cause I've had this conversation with teachers at private schools, teachers at charter schools, teachers at public schools, right. I think the desire to be a teacher is not about money at all. It is so much about the calling to be impactful to a generation to pour into these humans. And that's why I think it's so twisted that as a society we're like teachers. Me?

Renes Lophanor 49:41

Because personally, if it was just for the money, I would not be

Sanika 49:46

No.

Renes Lophanor 49:47

in

Sanika 49:47

I don't think any teacher would be a.

Renes Lophanor 49:49

use my languages for other things, my skills for, other professions. So,

Sanika 49:55

Oh, you hit it right on the head. And I wanna thank, this has been such an amazing conversation, and I can go on with you for days talking about this. Not only as a parent, just as a professional who, while I work in tech, and in sales, I see clear parallels with teaching, right? And this system and the desire to be able to provide value to the people you are serving, right? Because that's the through line when we think about teaching,

Renes Lophanor 50:25

Yeah.

Sanika 50:26

I teach our partners, our clients. I teach them as much as they teach me every single day in corporate America. On How this technology is valuable to them, how they see value in other collaborative efforts and initiatives. Similar to how you teach these students. The pursuit of teaching is not necessarily in a classroom. We're teaching and learning every single day as we pursue life. And this conversation was so great because it shows just that through line of how, although the system may not be working

Renes Lophanor 51:02

Yeah.

Sanika 51:02

to undercut and encourage that success, you can still find a love for it.

Renes Lophanor 51:07

Yeah. And, make our bit work for us and our students

Sanika 51:13

Yes.

Renes Lophanor 51:14

the system.

Sanika 51:15

the system.

Renes Lophanor 51:15

And by using your passions and your love to keep your cup full, right? Because music keeps you full. your sons keep you full so that you can pursue and shine light and pour back into these children.

Sanika 51:30

Similar

Renes Lophanor 51:30

Yeah.

Sanika 51:31

like how I pour back into our partners. So before I let you go,'cause you are a musician and you know here at the How Do You Divine podcast, we talk about the vibe of the week. We talk about the music that is shaping us for the week and kept us grooving and keep us moving. So what you vibing on Re

Renes Lophanor 51:51

You would like me? Two.

Sanika 51:55

Yeah. Ooh. Are you gonna vibe on your own? You gonna play something?

Renes Lophanor 52:03

Well,

Sanika 52:04

He said, I'm not vibing on no tracks on Spotify. I'm vibing on my own.

Renes Lophanor 52:09

I.

Sanika 52:10

listen, let's hear a little number. I love a live musical moment.

Renes Lophanor 52:22

Don't worry,

Sanika 52:26

Hey,

Renes Lophanor 52:33

don't worry.

Sanika 52:45

thank you.

Renes Lophanor 52:46

you. So beautiful

Sanika 52:52

Live musical moment. I feel special. I know you don't just play for anybody now. I didn't even cut your check.

Renes Lophanor 52:59

No, that's the first time I've done that

Sanika 53:01

Aw, thank you.

Renes Lophanor 53:03

So especially for you.

Sanika 53:05

am honored. Thank you so much for this amazing conversation,

Renes Lophanor 53:09

Sika.

Sanika 53:11

This is how do you divine teaching?