This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Got your back
The most important thing I have learned about my students this semester is that if they perceive you to "have their back" they will have yours too. I don't hesitate to tell my kids which rules are strictly mine and which are from admin. They know that they are all to be adhered to regardless of whom decreed them. That said, they have all realised that I don't mind going to bat for them in a pinch. They have also seem me take heat for them on occasion when the lines were blurry, so to speak. Some of you have noticed that when Dr. M came to observe, the kids were on better than average behavior. They respond to the idea that we all have rules to follow. Consequently, when a misunderstanding arises, they rush to stand behind me. Feels good.
I totally agree with this. I have been suprised over and over again by my students stepping up to the plate for me when it really matters! We have a lot of visitors coming through our school on a regular basis. My students are usually on their best behavior. It is like they really don't want to make me look bad, or more than that, they want to make me look good. That really speaks volumns about how your students feel about you!!
ReplyDeleteAnother great post, Pat, and so true. And they will always look to us as role models because of what you just said . . . hopefully we never let them down in that regard.
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