Well, it is back to school after a long and stressful break. Hopefully everyone has had some time to recharge and is raring to go. While the start up of the current year is not usual with job action having limited teacher’s involvement in making class lists, cleaning up or setting up classrooms, etc., the year is about to begin regardless. So now is the time to look at those faces we have in front of us and begin a new year focused on student needs in our classrooms. Questions teachers ask themselves at the start of every year are:
What are the needs of each student?
Will I be able to provide the teaching necessary to move all my students forward?
What will be my challenges this year?
And then teachers begin the cycle of assessing, planning and teaching to meet the needs of those in their charge.
One very important aspect of teaching to keep in mind is the art of building relationships with every student that comes through your door. The relationship you create will go a long way in helping the student to feel successful and comfortable in the classroom. Learning can’t take place until there is a feeling of comfort and trust.
On this note, I remember listening to a speaker years ago that said it is very easy for a teacher to go through a whole day and not make contact with some students. You know the one. The student, who sits quietly, does what is asked of them, and never participates in discussions. So I vowed to change this. I decided to greet each student at the door as they entered the room every morning. I expected, as I said “Good morning” that the response from the student would be to look me in the eye and say “Good morning” in return. Parents soon learned that for the next few minutes my attention was on each student as they entered. Any questions or information they had for me had to wait until all students were in the classroom. “Good morning” soon got extended to, “You got a hair cut!” or “How was your hockey game last night?” or “Hey, you lost a tooth!” We now have a connection, we have the beginnings of a relationship that can be used to build trust and comfort within the walls of the classroom. Making a connection with each student is what leads to a successful year for both student and teacher.
View this Ted Talk link and listen to what this educator has to say about building relationships.
What are the needs of each student?
Will I be able to provide the teaching necessary to move all my students forward?
What will be my challenges this year?
And then teachers begin the cycle of assessing, planning and teaching to meet the needs of those in their charge.
One very important aspect of teaching to keep in mind is the art of building relationships with every student that comes through your door. The relationship you create will go a long way in helping the student to feel successful and comfortable in the classroom. Learning can’t take place until there is a feeling of comfort and trust.
On this note, I remember listening to a speaker years ago that said it is very easy for a teacher to go through a whole day and not make contact with some students. You know the one. The student, who sits quietly, does what is asked of them, and never participates in discussions. So I vowed to change this. I decided to greet each student at the door as they entered the room every morning. I expected, as I said “Good morning” that the response from the student would be to look me in the eye and say “Good morning” in return. Parents soon learned that for the next few minutes my attention was on each student as they entered. Any questions or information they had for me had to wait until all students were in the classroom. “Good morning” soon got extended to, “You got a hair cut!” or “How was your hockey game last night?” or “Hey, you lost a tooth!” We now have a connection, we have the beginnings of a relationship that can be used to build trust and comfort within the walls of the classroom. Making a connection with each student is what leads to a successful year for both student and teacher.
View this Ted Talk link and listen to what this educator has to say about building relationships.
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