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In what ways do you make your students feel valued?
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I make my students feel values by telling them at they are made in the image of God. We talk about Genesis 1 and how humans are God’s special craftmanship. I tell them that God has uniquely designed them and that He has given them special skills and abilities. We spend lessons discussing their own gifts and skills what their personal interests are. We always bring it back to how they can use their abilities to please God and work for His glory. I also just love to play and joke around with them. I hope that they feel seen, heard, and enjoyed in my classroom. We give lots of hugs. I tell them that “God loves you and so do I!” I especially tell them this near the end of the year after we have formed our bonds and before they head out for the summer. I also speak blessings over them – “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you.”
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I remind my students after each assessment, that the grade they have does NOT reflect how I feel about them. It does not reflect who they are. The grade is not what’s most important – but the journey they took and how they got to that grade is what is most important! I tell them if you truly did your very best, if you truly put forth a valiant effort and your grade is not what you had hoped, they brush off the dust, and move forward – your best is all I ask for. The best looks different for different students and you cannot compare yourself to your peers. The fact that they are showing up for course, are attentive, are completing homework assignments, demonstrates their respect for me and thus my respect and value of them.
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I try my best to teach them about the Word of God in the little time I have to do a small devotional. I try to get to know them and what they like, what intrests they have and if they are going through a tough situation I spend time listening to them or praying about the issue.
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First, I get to know them personally by asking them questions. I ask them questions like: “What did you do this past weekend? Did you enjoy that? How is your brother doing from what you told me last week?” Sincerely asking them questions shows that I value what they say. Second, I seek to encourage and praise them in the classroom. Complimenting them and telling them, “Way to go _______!” are ways in which I try to make my students feel valued.
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Much of my job is listening and advocating. I find that the “power of presence” is a great way of communicating value. Taking time to be there, listen, and challenge students in personal growth. A second part to what I do is advocate for students. While I work with multiple stakeholders on behalf of the students, I am finding that I am also doing a lot of coaching in teaching students how to advocate for themselves. This concept has been a huge ice breaker that has lead to so many conversations about the perception of self. From here, amazing conversations about how God values us help to set a firm foundation to build on top of.
