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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 of the ways that I currently nurture students is by giving time at the end of each course to allow for personal interaction/discussion. I allow this to happen organically. This has created a space where students tend to be more honest and open and it has allowed space for students to ask tough academic questions that they might not otherwise choose to do so.
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One way I am intentional about nurturing my students is making sure my classroom is a place where they feel comfortable and safe. I never want a child to feel dumb in my classroom so I am diligent about shutting down any taunting behavior and instead we praise people for fining and fixing a mistake. For example, many times students are too embarrassed to ask a question, so instead of saying “Are there any questions?” I ask, “Who can come up with a question?” or “If someone were to be confused about this, what would they be confused about?”. This gives them a free and safe space to ask any question they have. I also tell them at the end of introducing something new that it’s okay if they don’t understanding it yet, because they just learned it. I tell them that most people have to hear something several times before it makes sense and that if they don’t understand yet they need to let me know (by doing a thumbs down instead of up) so that I can teach it a different way tomorrow. This allows me to do a quick check on progress while taking the blame if they haven’t caught on to what we’re doing yet. I have found these two techniques really create a place where my kids are okay to “fail” or make a mistake because instead of getting onto them or embarrassing them, we as a course help them find the mistake and then praise them for finding and correcting it.
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I really like the way you phrase the questions to give students the freedom ask without embarrassment. I feel like I just received a nugget from you today. Thank you!
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One day I saw one of my students in the office. I was surprised and asked why he was there. He just shrugged shyly. That afternoon I heard his little sister taunt him about getting in trouble again and being in the office again. The next day I saw him in the hallway. I gave him a hug and said, “Hey, I saw you in the office yesterday. You aren’t a kid that needs to go to the office. You are a good and smart boy. I don’t want to see you in the office again. Can you do that for me?” He stopped going to the office and started giving me hugs everyday. He would tell me that he hadn’t been getting into trouble. I loved him and encouraged him. He was proud of himself for doing better and meeting my expectations.
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A nurturing environment can encourage growth and development in the classroom. I provide a welcoming environment, greeting each child outside of the classroom each morning. Making eye contact, and addressing each one by name. Many times I will sing a song to them, making up lyrics as they come into the building about the color shirt they have on, or the cartoon character on their bookbag. The day is filled with routine so they can accomplish tasks and feel successful. They know what to expect and how to complete the morning checklist. Structure and routine provide a safe environment for all students but especially for those with social or emotional difficulties.
Starting the first day of school ground rules are established and classroom rules are clearly defined, recited, and role played. Correction is immediate and visible for the student as they move their number on the board. Restoration is also initiated fairly quickly, confession made, apologies made, and forgiveness granted. This is modeled and practiced, even if the heart isn’t really in it in the formative days, as the year progresses the children realize how we all make sad choices, no one is perfect, it is good to be forgiven and to grant forgiveness to others.
It is much better to tell on yourself than to have others tell on you because it creates a trust between the teacher and student. By the 2nd month of school it is their responsibility to tell on themselves. When returning from a transition time, I will just say, “If you were not walking in the hallway please move a number”, and every time a student tells on themselves by moving their own number, I thank them and tell them that, this small act makes me trust you more. We all know that no one makes good decisions all the time, we all sin. But, if you can learn to tell on yourself to Mrs. Rohrbaugh then you will be closer to telling on yourself to God. And, that is what He wants most, for us to confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness. This is how we learn and grow.