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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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I work hard to be aware of, to attend, and to follow up on my students’ extracurricular activities. It means a lot to student athletes, for example, to see their teachers in the bleachers or on the sidelines at their events, cheering them on, encouraging them when they fail, and celebrating their successes. Because I take prayer requests and pray with my students, I am also aware of at least some of what is going on in their lives, and it opens up conversations about meaningful issues.
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I would like to implement more opportunities to be one-on-one with my students, maybe a weekly or monthly meeting/check in. This is my second year teaching ever and I would like to take my students on a field trip. That is where I have most of my fond memories. On field trips.
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I would like to give them personal notes at minimum once per week and comment on something I noticed, give them a word of encouragement and make them aware of the talent God has given them. Another practice I would like to implement is having a drop box where students could submit prayer requests, want to share something, but couldn’t vocalize it or ask a question. Then I would give them choice for how they would like me to respond (personally, through a note or if it’s just a prayer request, then through prayer).
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I’d like to start talking with select students privately to encourage them in hard times and encourage them to do better, with love.
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One way I would love to implement this into my course would be to do morning meetings. If we had a set plan as to how they are run, I really believe that it would give students an opportunity to share what’s going on in their lives and in their hearts. If I can create a safe place to share, I think it would be great for building connections. Another way I connect with each student every day is to make sure I greet them as individuals as they walk in with either a high five, a handshake, a fist bump, or an elbow bump. It’s a silly little thing, but it gives me an opportunity to look each on in the eye and let them know that they are seen and heard.