What are you willing to do to educate all children?
There are so many times in an educator's career where there is a possibility that they will have to edit and adapt to different students that may present themselves in a classroom. When thinking about ways that we can be inclusive in a classroom setting I think it is important to understand that there will be strategies that work better than others.
I believe that it is important that we evaluate and get to know our students on not only an academic level but a personal level as well. As students, we tend to remember some of the educators that we have had in the past, but one thing that surprises me is the fact that there are times when the teachers remember us too. I remember growing up with my mother who has been an educator for 30+ years and asking her about students that she has had in the past I remember her telling vivid stories like they had just occurred yesterday. This idea that as educators we have this amazing ability to not only further a child's education but we can also positively affect their lives is mindblowing.
Providing students with a place where they can feel welcomed and feel like they belong is one of my ultimate goals as an educator. When you begin to learn about what a child's life is like outside of school, you have this ability to figure out ways that you can create lesson plans that they are interested in. I believe a child is more likely to succeed when they are interested and engaging in a lesson. If you learn that some of your students like art and to be creative, you can incorporate some type of craft activity into a lesson that allows them to do something that they enjoy while still learning. Let alone the fact that when you begin to learn about your student's backgrounds, it allows you as an educator to be more accepting and understanding towards any student that may be similar.
Hi Brooke,
ReplyDeleteI really like how you emphasize getting to know your students on a personal level. I think it's so sweet to hear about your mother telling stories of students she had long ago, it seems like she must have left an impact on many of their lives! I think you explained really well that the better you know your students, the better lessons you will be able to provide that will interest them. Without closely paying attention to the personal lives and interest of the students your teaching, how will you know you're giving those students the kind of content they will be able to grasp and love to learn. I also love that you mention making your classroom a safe and welcoming space. Since many children grow up with unfortunate circumstance that are out of control, a classroom should be the place for them to enjoy and grow as a child.
Hey Jazmin, I am so glad that you enjoyed my blog and I just wanted to say that I love that you highlighted that the fact that students who come from unfortunate circumstances should have a place where they can enjoy them selves, a safe place.
DeleteCreating a welcoming environment is a super positive thing to do as a educator because once students feel comfortable in the classroom they are more responsive to lessons and instruction. We spend a majority of our time with our students almost as much time as their parents as the school year goes on. To pay attention to them , their needs , and their personal lives will only benefit us as educators , we play a role as their role models and to help them succeed we need to learn them to help them learn. To build a personal relationship with your students establishes a level of trust that I think encourages them to invest not only in your class but in bettering themselves as you now are more then a authoritative figure to them. While I think there needs to be a balance their knowing your students is something every teacher should strive to do , either through activities or first day projects as this will give insight into them as students and what they might need from you to do well in your class.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael, I really like the fact that you brought up the importance that teachers have to build a foundation where students can trust their teachers. Building trust in a classroom is a great way to establish a healthy and safe classroom environment.
DeleteHi Brooke
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree we as teachers need to learn more about our students on a personal level so that we know how to better adapt our lessons to fit the way they learn the best. I guess that could also pose the question of how often and how dramatically do we have to change our teaching ways in order to best fit all of our students. For me personally, I remember I would more on the quiet side, Id usually keep to myself, and still I remember certain activities we would do that I genuinely enjoyed and felt as if I could learn without the pressure of constantly participating and even these small activity changes allowed me to open up more and be more receptive to other topics and activities. I think varying the way we execute our activities and lessons could play a big part in seeing what better suits a student.