Several years ago I began compiling a list of helpful hints for teachers. Now, presumptuous as it might be of me to think that teachers could possibly benefit from anything I might have to say about teaching, I boldly began my list. (At the very least, I could refer to it from time-to-time as a reminder of the teacher I was hoping to be!)
Recently, my laptop containing this list was stolen. Yeppers! Someone thought my poor Macbook would be better served in their possession. Contained in the documents folder of said Macbook was my list. (Hopefully, it was backed up along with everything else, but I didn't think of it until just this moment. I'll check it when I get home.)
This list contains things, stuff, and random goodness for assisting teachers promote not only student success, but also research-based and data-driven proof of how to be a better educator! (presses tongue into side of cheek)
Tip #1: Take the 2-3 seconds required and greet every single individual in each class you teach every day! (That's 130 students x 5(rounded up)=650 seconds/60 seconds=10.8 minutes---Heck! Call it no more than 11 minutes out of your entire day.) The time spent greeting students while on duty counts as well! You can subtract these students from the required 2-3 second greeting, but why not just greet them again? Make it fun. "Didn't I just see you?" Come on...You know you like when fellow adults make these connections, right? Remember: You are cultivating relationships with students in order for them to grow as human beings while in your care. You are a steward of these children. A shepherd watching over a flock. Call it what you will. As teachers, we have a profound and lasting impact on our students. Your kindness may be the only kindness these students receive all day. Make it count!
--Brien
Showing posts with label kindness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kindness. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Success! One day on the books...
and many more to go!
What a great day! A few snags here and there related to computer glitches that I can't control, but the students were superb. Two of my classes are exceptionally large--about 36 in each---large for me---but both were mostly well-behaved and interested in knowing what we were going to do this school year. Advisory class (homeroom with intent!) was extra long and we doled out the procedures and expectations to the kiddos. We modeled at every opportunity and the students did well. I'm interested in seeing what they each remember in the morning.
This is really a nice group of students. Many of them are familiar to me from the past year and seemed excited to be here. Many were also nervous. (One 7th grader was so much so, he barely made it to the trashcan before he vomited.) Poor kid.
Reflections: Potential challenges should be met at the door when they walk in late and showered with kindness and attention. (This way they'll know we're keeping an eye out.)
Certain students are unusually quiet on the first day---Observe this fact and be wary of calling on them until you know them better.
Celebrate even the smallest success! This may be the only celebration they get all day long.
Remember---you don't know what baggage students carry with them when they get here in the morning. Treat them all with an extra heap of kindness. We never know if they were hugged or slugged as they were leaving their home on their way to school. Unfortunately, there aren't enough hugs.
Clean my desk! It's already a mess.
Hope you have a lovely day---Brien
What a great day! A few snags here and there related to computer glitches that I can't control, but the students were superb. Two of my classes are exceptionally large--about 36 in each---large for me---but both were mostly well-behaved and interested in knowing what we were going to do this school year. Advisory class (homeroom with intent!) was extra long and we doled out the procedures and expectations to the kiddos. We modeled at every opportunity and the students did well. I'm interested in seeing what they each remember in the morning.
This is really a nice group of students. Many of them are familiar to me from the past year and seemed excited to be here. Many were also nervous. (One 7th grader was so much so, he barely made it to the trashcan before he vomited.) Poor kid.
Reflections: Potential challenges should be met at the door when they walk in late and showered with kindness and attention. (This way they'll know we're keeping an eye out.)
Certain students are unusually quiet on the first day---Observe this fact and be wary of calling on them until you know them better.
Celebrate even the smallest success! This may be the only celebration they get all day long.
Remember---you don't know what baggage students carry with them when they get here in the morning. Treat them all with an extra heap of kindness. We never know if they were hugged or slugged as they were leaving their home on their way to school. Unfortunately, there aren't enough hugs.
Clean my desk! It's already a mess.
Hope you have a lovely day---Brien
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