People...People who teach People...Part 2
What can I share with my students that will connect us...but will not change the appropriate teacher-student dynamic? How can I let them know that I am a person...without getting too personal?
Decorate the Exterior
of my room. Here are some ideas that help students to see me as a person, give them a little insight into my background and remind them that teachers are people too:
1. I have several pictures of myself in the room. They are pictures of me...in grade 8, grade 10, grade 12. ...the ages of my students. They are a source of endless curiosity and amusement. :o)
2. The other pictures are of my family, my children and my friends. Yes, I have them. :o)
3. I framed my hs and college diplomas with dollar store frames and have them hanging in the back of the room. They find it interesting that I graduated from a local high school. They ask me what is the difference between a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree.
4. I have a button collection (the kind with sayings) in a clear plastic jar filled with interesting buttons from my travels and from my friends. I am careful to only put in buttons with appropriate images and sayings.
5. I have a collection of weird (and cheap) pens and pencils that we all can use. I ask them not to take them from the classroom, but I am careful not to put anything out that I am afraid to lose. It allows them to see my sense of humor, my love of silliness, my reverence for childhood...and that I will share.
Expose the Interior
of my heart. I will allow myself to show emotion in class. If I find something funny, I will laugh. Loudly!!! If a scene in a movie makes me cry....I don't hide behind my monitor. What I try to be careful about is the subject of my emotional reaction.
1. Personal and family issues are completely taboo. I will not share details about my children's personal lives, my love life, my family's quarrels, etc. I will say for example...I was up late last night with a friend who needed to talk. I am willing to let them know that I am there for my friends and that they are there for me....but not why.
2. I honor my colleagues and their friendship in the presence of my students.
3, If I am tired, headachy, nauseous or otherwise icky, I will let my students know. I will not soldier on and pretend that all is well when it is not.
4. I will acknowledge my grief when I lose a colleague or student to illness or sudden death.
5. I will incorporate my interests into stories....the books I've read, the movies I've seen, the shows I watch, the music I listen to, etc....if the information meets all of the criteria I've set for appropriate classroom interaction.
I think that it is important to consider these things....as important as it is to choose a text, plan a lesson or create a test. They are part of the everyday tapestry of our classrooms...and vital to creating an atmosphere of trust, a plan for success with our students.
with love,
Laurie
Decorate the Exterior
of my room. Here are some ideas that help students to see me as a person, give them a little insight into my background and remind them that teachers are people too:
1. I have several pictures of myself in the room. They are pictures of me...in grade 8, grade 10, grade 12. ...the ages of my students. They are a source of endless curiosity and amusement. :o)
2. The other pictures are of my family, my children and my friends. Yes, I have them. :o)
3. I framed my hs and college diplomas with dollar store frames and have them hanging in the back of the room. They find it interesting that I graduated from a local high school. They ask me what is the difference between a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree.
4. I have a button collection (the kind with sayings) in a clear plastic jar filled with interesting buttons from my travels and from my friends. I am careful to only put in buttons with appropriate images and sayings.
5. I have a collection of weird (and cheap) pens and pencils that we all can use. I ask them not to take them from the classroom, but I am careful not to put anything out that I am afraid to lose. It allows them to see my sense of humor, my love of silliness, my reverence for childhood...and that I will share.
Expose the Interior
of my heart. I will allow myself to show emotion in class. If I find something funny, I will laugh. Loudly!!! If a scene in a movie makes me cry....I don't hide behind my monitor. What I try to be careful about is the subject of my emotional reaction.
1. Personal and family issues are completely taboo. I will not share details about my children's personal lives, my love life, my family's quarrels, etc. I will say for example...I was up late last night with a friend who needed to talk. I am willing to let them know that I am there for my friends and that they are there for me....but not why.
2. I honor my colleagues and their friendship in the presence of my students.
3, If I am tired, headachy, nauseous or otherwise icky, I will let my students know. I will not soldier on and pretend that all is well when it is not.
4. I will acknowledge my grief when I lose a colleague or student to illness or sudden death.
5. I will incorporate my interests into stories....the books I've read, the movies I've seen, the shows I watch, the music I listen to, etc....if the information meets all of the criteria I've set for appropriate classroom interaction.
I think that it is important to consider these things....as important as it is to choose a text, plan a lesson or create a test. They are part of the everyday tapestry of our classrooms...and vital to creating an atmosphere of trust, a plan for success with our students.
with love,
Laurie
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