Teachers: Becoming a Student of Your Students

“I hate that class, I have the worst teacher, she never understands.” Most students will feel this way towards a teacher at some point throughout their educational experiences. Children have no interest in learning from teachers they do not like. Typically these are teachers who fail to recognize the value of building positive relationships with students. The importance of knowing your students as learners and as people is fundamental for success.

“They may forget what you said — but they will never forget how you made them feel.” - Carl W. Buehner

Drake, Reid, and Kolohon (2014) explain curriculum can only be relevant when it connects to the students interests and experiences. Considering this, if content material does not resonate with a child, chances are they will have no interest in learning about it. The profession of teaching is more then just knowing each student by name, a great teacher is one whom invests themselves in the lives of every student. Does that student get a good breakfast every morning? Does that student have to babysit younger siblings after school? Is that student from another country? To know your students calls for knowledge of their cultural, social and socioeconomic backgrounds. Once a teacher knows their students, he or she can refine their lesson plans to incorporate content that is relevant and meaningful.

Students Have Different Backgrounds (Source)

I was fortunate enough to have a positive relationship with a teacher from my high school who made the effort to care for every student in and outside of her classroom. My locker was right beside this teacher’s classroom and everyday she made a habit of asking students in the hallway “how are you today?” This teacher was aware of student’s extracurricular activities (whether it was sports, music, dance) and demonstrated how a simple act of kindness can make a vast difference. Although I never had the chance to be taught by this teacher, she always made me feel important, she made me feel like she truly cared. Emma McDonald (2012) in her article The Secret Weapon: Getting to Know Your Students discusses the importance of teachers taking the time to build a positive relationship with students. Teachers should schedule time in their lesson plans to talk to students one on one and further connect with each student as a unique individual. As an educator, this entails prompting your students to open up to you, trying to assist them when their upset, but most importantly showing them you care. As a future educator, I will be questioned, my limits will be pushed and I will become very angry by students behaviour. At the end of the day, if I am able to demonstrate to students I care for their wellbeing, I will have a greater chance of creating a welcoming and successful learning environment.

In the following video, educators discuss the importance of getting to know your students. As a teacher, your educational plan or structure should be modified on a yearly basis taking into consideration varying interests and needs of students. When a teacher fails to know the students in their classroom, there is a greater chance it will be much more difficult to get through a lesson.

Know Their Stories (Source)

Stacey Goodman (2015) explores the topic of Teaching Through Relationships.This concept examines the complex social environment in which students and teachers interact and share experiences that foster healthy learning. As an educator, I intend to take the time to identify different learning styles within my classroom and recognize how students social backgrounds can effect learning. For example, will individuals with certain personalities work better with each other? Who are friends in the classroom? In taking the time to know my students, I will be more prepared to cope with problems, be sympathetic to individual needs and promote healthy learning. Teachers need to be willing to take the time and recognize the stories of the learners themselves.

Knowing Your Students Interests (Source)

Similar to the teacher in my high school, I intend to know my students. I aspire to show students I truly care what is happening in their lives outside of school. The process of building relationships takes time, patience, commitment and it can most definitely be challenging. However, a teacher who knows their students is the difference between a teacher who is just there to teach the lesson and a teacher that truly cares. We should all strive to be the teacher who cares.

Until next time,
Rachelle