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In what ways do you make your students feel valued?
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I form relationships with my students. I ask them questions about their sports or other interests. I talk to them and let them know how proud of them I am.
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Practically, we can do small things that have big impact such as making eye contact when we speak, listening attentively when they speak, and investing in their lives. Students need to know they are safe, that they are seen, and that nothing they say or do will shock the people they care about and who care about them. Once a trust-relationship has been established, students are much more likely to believe their teacher who tells them truths about God and His word, including that they (the students) are valued and have been made for a purpose.
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I make my students feel valued by remembering and celebrating their birthdays. I make a point to see the good and the growth that each student is having and I make a positive report to their parents. I also hold them accountable. I tell them why it is important and that it is because I care about them and I value them. I tell them that they are valued and loved by God and me. Teaching 6th grade, the students are starting to doubt themselves and lose confidence in themselves. It is heartbreaking and a hard job to combat their feelings.
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I make my students feel valued by telling them that I care about them. I am always asking how they are doing. I take prayer requests in the morning so we can pray for each other. That way they feel like someone cares about them. I feel like it makes our course closer because we are constantly praying for each other. When I have to disciple a student, I always tell them I do it because I care about them. I also tell them I still love them, and their choice hasn’t changed anything.
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I make students feel valued when they have opportunities to contribute to the procedures and rules in our classroom. Asking them what they believe is important pertaining to some of these questions: How will we learn to get along? What will we do if we make a mistake (toward others)? How will we keep our classroom clean? How will we treat each other and our teachers? Additionally, when we teach that we were created in the image of God, we learn that no matter our abilities, we all have gifts and talents that God has given to us that help others who may not have a similar talent. Our limitations allow us to respect the knowledge and giftings of others and to partner with other who may help us grow and learn. When I group students, I try to create groupings that are by ability and skill level when needed but also try and create groups of students with varying abilities, so that they have peer models and mentors in areas that they may need to grow in.
