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
The most iimportant thing....
The most important thing I learned about my students this semester is they want you to take an interest in them as young adults. All of my students (male, female, any race or ethnic back round) all want to know that you take an interest in their sports, extra activities, family life, struggles, friends etc... Not in an inappropriate crossing the line way, but in a mentoring/caring type of way. This may sound "soft" coming from a coach, but I truly believe we can impact our students lives relationally and that will impact them academically. Even if you ask them about their Thanksgiving break, or their game last night etc... I gave "props" to a student of mine when we won the one act play state championship and he was pumped that a football coach knew about what he and his fellow students accomplished. I truly have learned to bridge that gap between the teachers desk and the students desk. They need to know that we are counting down the days to Christmas break as well; however we still need to focus and finish strong! Everyday is a new experience...I always said as a police officer we have a front row seat to the greatest show on earth. In teaching I believe in the same thing! Look forward to tomorrows blog and thanks for the opportunity to make up some points.......
Coach,
ReplyDeleteI comepletely agree with you on bridging the gap. I can look back to when I was in school and the teachers that would open up and talk to me are the ones who impacted my life the most. Students need to see that we as teachers are humans as well and that we are here because we actually care about seeing them succeed! This was a great post Im glad to know there are other teachers out there that feel the same way!
I agree completely. I take a great deal of interest in all my students lives. Thus far this year I have had around 25 students who graduated lat year stop in to see me. The office personel said they have never had that kind of traffic from frmer students before. They want to know how my life is going because I was interested in theirs. Also, I keep a countdown to the next holiday/break/three day weekend/whatever on my board at all times. The kids do like to know that I look forward to life outside school too. I ask abot their holidays and they ask me about mine. This really works.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with you. I think it's so very important for the kids to see that we really care about them. We care about their well-being, not just that they succeed in our class. I want everyone of my kids to succeed in life, and if they can learn these life skills inside or outside my class then I will support them. I love to see their eyes light up when they see me at a game, or I ask how their competition went. I think many times the students just want to know that their is someone out there who cares about them. More often than not, we as their teacher have to show them that caring. When I was in high-school it was the parents who took this role. This day in age and in many areas this is no longer the case and we are the ones who have to be that caring adult in their lives. If all it takes for my students to feel like they matter is for me to stop by a game for a few minutes and watch a few plays, then it is well worth my time to give them that.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and comments and you'all are right on the money! This is really one of the reasons we increased blogging opportunities . . . I just love reading this stuff!
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