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What are one or two practices you’d like to implement that would allow you to demonstrate your care for and commitment to your students? If you already have practices in place, what are they?
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One practice that I don’t ever want to take for granted that I am implementing with my current students or those that are applying to our school is praying for them right before we start any meeting. I come from public schools where prayer is not allowed. I am the first person that students meet in our school because I administer their entrance exam to see if they will be a good candidate for our school. Before every test I always start with praying for the student and for their exam. I want them to know that prayer is a foundational part of our school.
One practice I would like to implement is using some of my previous experience where I can incorporate ways to make learning more fun and interactive. I have many fun learning centers that I haven’t used and am hoping to use this upcomming school year that will engage my students and help them to get more out of the subject we’re covering.
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I would like to start taking parent requests of students more often. I do several times throughout the year, but I’d like to get into a consistent routine weekly. I would like to extent that to the parents and families also. We use an app to communicate with parents and they can direct message me privately. I could use that system to receive their prayer requests. I would also like to send notes and cards to my students randomly especially if I know they are going through a hard time. I do send notes, but I would like to do it more often.
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I try most every day, to call each student by name. In any given year, I teach 100 or more students. That’s a lot of students. However, I know how important it is, to be noticed. It could be as they are entering my classroom, during the lesson, or as they are leaving the classroom. But I want my students to know that I notice them, love them, and are glad they are part of my school family.
In addition, I will offer “help class” to my Algebra 2 students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:10 – 3:50. This period of time, is a more relaxed, but intentional time to work problems, answer questions, and to do so in a “safe zone”. Many high school students are not comfortable asking questions during course, but have the courage to do so, in a smaller setting. I always strive to be positive and encouraging when students leave help course – to remind them of the wisdom they have shown, to recognize the importance of a little extra assistance and practice. So, instead of feeling inadequate, they feel smart, for having taken the initiative to come to help course. -
One of the most important ways that I show my students that I care is having a prayer request/praise jar. My students know that I don’t just care about our subject area, but that I also want to know about all the little (or big) things that are happening in their lives. Prayer is one of the most powerful ways that we can help our students and there have been quite a few times where students have shared many challenges that they are facing.
Another every day practical way that demonstrates my care is simply by talking with them in the hallways in between courses. Asking them questions about their day, how their tests went, or asking them about any games/competitions that they have been involved in. When students know that a teacher is invested in their lives, it creates a much more positive learning environment where they feel safe and encouraged. -
I have done this some in my course but what I would like to implement more and try to structure out is a prayer time. A time where each student can share concerns or prayer requests or joys. I think it is important to have a quiet reflection time to pray and some time to pray aloud for each student. I want to show I care and God cares and taking a small time each week to do this emphasizes this and gives them a structure for prayer in their lives.