What I have learned from my students

One of the most important things that I have learned from my students is not to take things too personally. When I first started teaching I was shocked at some of the things that my students would say to me or some of the things that they would do. Sometimes it was more of what they wouldn't do that made me feel like they didn't care. I thought "these kids really must not like me, otherwise they would do what I asked them to do." I have slowly started to realize that it is nothing personal. So many of these kids tell me on a regular basis how much they love me and my class, yet sometimes they still are lazy or unmotivated. I have to remember that they are teenagers!! I have to remember that these kids are so focused on themselves that they don't have time to think about how their actions (or lack of) make me feel!! I now know that when students are tired or not wanting to work it may be because they have been up all night playing video games or texting. I have found that when I explain to them how their actions may be perceived by others, they seem shocked that they were sending that message. Some students have not been taught any manners or social skills at home so I try to implement that into my interaction with them. I have to remember to be patient and not take it personally!!