-
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?
-
I currently co-teach and share a course which makes it difficult for me to put my own spin on things. I would really like to find ways that I can implement new ideas and practices that don’t disrupt the cohesiveness we try to maintain. I often show care and commitment to our students by listening to their fears, feelings, emotions, and ideas. Making it a point to empathize with them or encourage them. I like to leave them encouraging notes and reward the “Fruits of the Spirit” I see them display. I would like to take this a step further and make it a key component to character building in my own classroom one day. Dedicating a bulletin board to displaying the fruits of the spirit and discussing everyday where we have seen them lived out, recognizing those students that positively impacted the lives of their classmates and empowering them to be Jesus to others. I would also like to step up my game in regards to encouraging notes. I think it would be wonderful for the students to participate in this. Building into our day a time where we can write encouraging words to one another and build each other up regularly.
I also love the idea that was presented in the lesson of giving students the opportunity to earn 110% by going above the threshold of the curriculum and learning more! I would love to implement that somehow as well.
-
On Back to School night for parents every August, I give a presentation and I tell the parents that my primary goal for every student in my course is that they feel valued, encouraged, and successful. I teach math and I have students of many different achievement levels. I have students who already love math and I have students who say they hate it…it’s hard…they cannot do math. And so my goal is to meet every student where they are and to help them feel better about their math abilities on the last day of course then they did the first day. I tell the students the same thing on the first day of school. I make myself available before and after school and during lunch for students to come by and ask questions. But beyond the math, I take time to ask individual students about their lives. I will comment on a new haircut or a piece of clothing they are wearing. I will congratulate them on a great play made on the court or field. If their demeanor seems off, I ask them how they are doing and if everything is okay. I let them know that I see them and I am interested in their lives. One of the 3 pillars of our school is to create enduring relationships. We are encouraged to take student groups off-campus to lunch. Through these actions and activities, teachers become mentors.
-
As a PE teacher, my time is very fast with our MS and HS students, I would like to implement a “connection of the week goal” where I select a different student every week and make every effort to learn more about them. Maybe surprise them with desert at lunch or place an encouraging note in their locker. Just taking a moment to try to connect with them would be amazing. In addition, I want to have a implement one student every week that I specifically pray for. I know as a group when I pray for my students God shields them all, but there is something so special about lifting up a specific name to the Father. I know these seem like super easy things, but its just a matter of getting organized and being purposed to initiate new practices
-
I don’t have one course that I am attached to all day since I serve the whole campus. I make sure to do a few different things so that my students know I care about them and for them. I work car line each morning and love to great them by name and say good morning as they come into the school. I keep snacks/lunch items in my office for my older students who may need a little extra throughout the day. I also try and stop by the cafeteria once a week to just have lunch with different students.
-
I love writing notes to my students from time to time. They always smile and look around the room. I also encourage my students and try to make lessons entertaining and engaging by being a bit silly and calling on students a lot. I try to show them we can learn together.