There is a strong possibility that I’ll have to change school, next school year!
The school I am currently working in, is a small state school, with basic facilities, located in a ,rather small, Greek town…
I admit that, I have faced many challenges there, so far…
For example, I had to fund my eTwinning and other projects , myself..!
Unfortunately, my headmasters were reluctant to support my work, both financially and practically !
Therefore, I had to organize school Christmas Bazaars,in our English class, to earn some money, both for my class projects and the school needs in digital equipment, every year !
In the long run, those Bazaars have been proven surprisingly beneficial, for my students! As beneficial, as our European projects and our end-of-the-school-year musicals and shows !
So many great memories…!
Every single day, brought us all closer… Every precious day of learning together!
I have realized that,although professional development programs often speak to differentiated instruction, classroom management, technological growth, curriculum development, and standards creation, in the long haul, what fires an educator’s inner motor is to see that he or she has made a difference in a child’s life.
Connecting with students is satisfying and warms the heart.
After all,connecting with students is the reason most teachers teach, isn’t it?
MY suggested ways to make these teacher-student connection work?
Well…….After all these years of teaching experience, here’s my list.
Don’t be “boring.”
This is foundational, I think…. Much disconnection starts here. And, weak communication is one root of “boring.”
Capture their attention.
As human beings, we are more attentive to that which is novel. One reason that some teachers-me included- prefer to work with younger elementary students is that the world is still fresh to them.
Making connections, in class…
Motivate.
We all know that, if it is somewhat inconsistent with prior attitudes, it stimulates. If it stretches us too much, it will demotivate—we shut down. That is why a (sensitively) demanding a teacher with high expectations, often gets good results.
Be caring
Where appropriate, the loving concern of a caring teacher, can strongly impact the resilience of a kid struggling to grow up.
Respect.
This one is not negotiable !No respect, equals no connection. Period. The kids say, “Respect us and let us respect you.” Connection will not happen if there is no perception of respect.
Be reciprocal.
Do things together. Share common interests and concrete experiences.
Create memories.
Memory matters. We should develop and encourage warm and positive memories of school time in our class!
Spend time just chilling.
Listen. Be there for our students .The gift of time is an unparalleled treasure.
Become a warm memory.
We may think that we don’t matter that much. We do. We cannot get out of the way. WE are the way. They are watching.
Last but not least:
Be passionate
It can be a lot of hard work, and there can be moments when we just don’t necessarily have the energy.
I think that, rather than let ourselves get discouraged, we should try to think of it as a passion.
I also think that, if we have a fiery passion for what we’re teaching, it won’t be nearly as difficult to actually teach it !
Passion is something that most people have, but we don’t often channel it to whatever we are trying to do.
So……Let’s Channel our passion!
HERE’S MY FAREWELL VIDEO….THE HARD WORK ,OF AN AMAZING SCHOOL YEAR, IN PICTURES!
Dedicated to those beloved students! I miss them already….
Off to knew challenges=new opportunities , next school year! Off to new adventures!
ELT inspired 