I get more excited every day. Just knowing how close
we are to graduation, makes me spin in circles. The students notice when I am
super excited so they will cheer and up their energy. Knowing that I have such
a strong connection with my students, gives me more crazy energy. They not only
respect me but find my happiness
just as important as theirs. An article by Lindsay Hutton says, “You can tell them what you think, but don't
tell them what to do. And tell them in the way you'd tell a grown-up and an
equal. Not, "I'll tell you what I think! I think you're a fool!" I
believe this to be one of the most important rules I follow. If I want the
students to act in an adult manner, I have to treat them as an important part
of decision making. Talk to them like adults and maybe they will act like
adults. The way in which I connect to the students gives me my support as well.
“Does your teen love all things sports? Or chess? Or exotic sea creatures?
Whatever your teen's interests and hobbies are, make them your interests, too”
(Lindsay Hutton: Ten simple”). I do not like MTV much at all. I will however,
watch and learn what things interest them. Rap music I already like so I can
talk rap, or any other music, with them all day. I also think it is important
to not fake it and be you with the students. Connect with them on something you
actually enjoy.
I love seeing their faces every day. I have seen a
lot more of the situations the students go through at home, yet they still come
and have something they look forward to at schools. I do believe this next
generation will find the positives in life, even though they don’t always like
doing what they are told. Some will eat a school lunch and say nothing bad
about it; it will be the only food they get that day. Some will only have a few
outfits to wear to school and will still have style. Others will be abused at
home and they will still trust that one adult, perhaps that one teacher. The
inner city schools that no one wants to work at have the most strength and
heart. I believe a lot of adults need to change their attitudes and see what
children are picking up from them. Complaining, responsibility, and time
management, we can find many adults that have these issues. I find it more
important to connect with today’s youth and see what changes to the future the
youth can make. Maybe we will be less sensitive about race or being politically
correct but more sensitive to emotions and winning. We have to trade something
with every change.
Conferences were fun. I found it interesting to meet
the parents and compare their personality with their child’s. Some parents had
interesting behavior and some were my friends in another life. I was
comfortable talking with the parents and found I had a lot to add to the
conversations my cooperating teacher was leading. I feel I will be just fine on
my own next semester talking with parents (seeing as how that was a concern of
mine). I was wondering about the difficult parents and how to handle those
situations. I found when you use logic and supportive evidence (go figure) they
will be more likely to trust your teaching methods and curriculum. I also
enjoyed speaking with Spanish speaking parents. We had translators and I found
myself trying to find who to keep my eyes on. Anytime I spoke however, I always
kept my eyes on the parents. I look forward to learning Spanish in the next 3
to 4 years (maybe less) of my life. It is a priority goal.
Hutton, Lindsay. “10 Simple Ways to Connect to Your Teen.” Family Education. Pearson
Education, 2010. Web. 24 February 2014.
Christina,
ReplyDeleteI like many of the aspects you point out in your blog. I think that a positive attitude is of most importance. I know many of us have a lot going on outside of the classroom, just as our students do, bt it is important to keep a genuinely positive attitude in the classroom. Students can tell if you are not happy about being there and the feeling is contagious. Negativity, especially from an educator can ruin the mood in a classroom. Fortunately for most of us teaching brings true happiness and that is a bonus for our students.
I love that you say that students should not be spoke to In a condescending way and especially that they should be apart of decision making. Just because it is the teachers class does not mean it has to be a dictatorship. Also, students are more likely to enjoy something that they feel they are apart of. I enjoyed conferences too. The conferences at my placement were bth similar and different then those at the alternative setting I was once apart of. Parents were truly receptive and involved!
I'm glad you're enjoying your student teaching experiences. It has even rewarding so far to me, as well!
You are absolutely right when you mentioned how we need to treat our students as adults. I agree when you said that when we treat teens as adults they will more likely act like adults. I'm glad you mentioned the importance of a positive attitude. Maintaining this positive attitude can be difficult at times but it is necessary when establishing relationships with students.
ReplyDeleteI love how passionate you are! It seems as though you are truly enjoying your student teaching experience. I, too, have students who are going through difficult situations at home, and it is hard sometimes to get them to care about school. I want to work in an urban district as well because there are so many students who have so much potential but haven't been pushed by any adult. Kudos to you for keeping your enthusiasm!
Christina,
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed conferences. It was nice to see where students come from and to see their families supporting them. It was nice to see them live up to their decisions, whether they were good or bad, and be held accountable for their actions. My CT does a great thing with her kids where she makes them reflect on their work and list goals for the rest of the semester. That way if they don't come to conferences they will take their reflections home and have their parents sign them. I hope you continue to enjoy your experience.