Connect to your Students
If you ask any parent which one of their kids is their favorite most will say, "The one who needs them the most at the moment." This same response is often true for teachers in the classroom. Especially true for the most difficult students. They challenge you as a professional to connect. Two important points that I strongly believe will really help you fuse that connection.One to remember that all the student must feel that you value them as part of the learning community. And secondly that this value comes from knowing you have shown a genuine concern for their success.Let's say hypothetically that Biff and Judy have come to your class everyday for the last five months, give or take a few days. Biff is an average c + student he comes to class on time most days, but doesn't often participate in the discussion. Judy on the other hand sits on the edge of her seat. She always has a ready answer for every question, and often adds interesting, lively discourse to the day's discussion sessions. Which student do you think you will really connect to?Well there may be a few things to consider first before you decide. Maybe Biff is tired from having to work an eight hour shift after school every day to pay off his car loans or more personal needs. Judy maybe has a higher interest, because she likes the subject, or it's easier for her because she has wealthy parents who provide her with plenty of tools to ensure her academic successes. Are you feeling me here? On the one side you have empathy and on the other pride.If you ask me I would say that you would probably connect more with the student who struggles and needs more attention than one who makes the job easy. Why because teachers are sort of like heroes. They want to make a difference. That's why they teach right?The line between connection and professionalism sometimes seems taut. One will want to keep the authority intact and still reach across the line with some sensitivity for the stuff we don't see. Learning to read body language and facial clues is a real boon for teacher/student connectivity. Here is why.Again using Biff as our example. Let's say that you've asked a question and notice that Biff has a quizzical look on his face. That tells us he either didn't understand the question or he is ready to focus on the answer. If you repeat the question one more time using different words, gestures or maybe even visual cues this might help. Then if Judy jumps in and gives a very elegant response, ah ha this is the time for the teacher to flip over to Biff and give him an opportunity to add something. They will connect here because the teacher has shown this student he is valued. And because you made an extra effort to be sure he understood the question he will know it was genuine.
If you ask any parent which one of their kids is their favorite most will say, "The one who needs them the most at the moment." This same response is often true for teachers in the classroom. Especially true for the most difficult students. They challenge you as a professional to connect. Two important points that I strongly believe will really help you fuse that connection.
One to remember that all the student must feel that you value them as part of the learning community. And secondly that this value comes from knowing you have shown a genuine concern for their success.
Let's say hypothetically that Biff and Judy have come to your class everyday for the last five months, give or take a few days. Biff is an average c + student he comes to class on time most days, but doesn't often participate in the discussion. Judy on the other hand sits on the edge of her seat. She always has a ready answer for every question, and often adds interesting, lively discourse to the day's discussion sessions. Which student do you think you will really connect to?
Well there may be a few things to consider first before you decide. Maybe Biff is tired from having to work an eight hour shift after school every day to pay off his car loans or more personal needs. Judy maybe has a higher interest, because she likes the subject, or it's easier for her because she has wealthy parents who provide her with plenty of tools to ensure her academic successes. Are you feeling me here? On the one side you have empathy and on the other pride.
If you ask me I would say that you would probably connect more with the student who struggles and needs more attention than one who makes the job easy. Why because teachers are sort of like heroes. They want to make a difference. That's why they teach right?
The line between connection and professionalism sometimes seems taut. One will want to keep the authority intact and still reach across the line with some sensitivity for the stuff we don't see. Learning to read body language and facial clues is a real boon for teacher/student connectivity. Here is why.
Again using Biff as our example. Let's say that you've asked a question and notice that Biff has a quizzical look on his face. That tells us he either didn't understand the question or he is ready to focus on the answer. If you repeat the question one more time using different words, gestures or maybe even visual cues this might help. Then if Judy jumps in and gives a very elegant response, ah ha this is the time for the teacher to flip over to Biff and give him an opportunity to add something. They will connect here because the teacher has shown this student he is valued. And because you made an extra effort to be sure he understood the question he will know it was genuine.
