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In what ways do you feel you currently nurture your students? How have you seen this impact them?
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One way I nurture my students is that as each child comes into the classroom, I greet them with a smile. I ask them a question about different things, how was their morning , what did they eat for breakfast, I like your new red shoes… I believe that children need to see a smile and that you’re happy that they’re there no matter what. I also like to nurture my students by letting them know that I am there to help them that they are safe and secure when they are at school with me.
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I try to be sensitive to the ways that my students are over-extended. Many are way too busy with extra-curricular activities and jobs. I have high academic standards for my students, but I’ve found that being willing to adapt when they are overloaded goes a long way toward nurturing them. Being flexible can reduce their stress, and it results in higher academic performance as well.
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I like to take the time to get to know each student by asking questions and showing them that I genuinely care about them and their lives. I have seen an impact.
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We can laugh and they know I have high expectations, that I know they can hit. Sometimes it takes more effort than other times, but they know I will help them reach that.
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I do my best to get to know my students on a personal level, asking about and following up on their interests, or competitions they have been involved in, or prayer requests they have asked in the past. Showing them that we care about more that just having a prayer request, but that I continue thinking about them or their loved ones in these areas, and am continuing to pray for them. I also verbally and repeatedly tell them that it is ok to make mistakes, and that they are more than their grades or being “good” at school. They enjoy being in courses more, and even give more effort when they know that I care about more than their grades.