In the high school classroom, respect and trust travel a two-way street between teacher and student-and have everything to do with learning. Students say that if a teacher sets a steady example of fairness and respect, they respond positively whether or not they like a teacher personally.
Monthly Archives: December 2016
In Remembering Humanity
“Not only does it help with the toughest students,” says Paul, “but also it helps the teachers remember their humanity as they attempt to survive and thrive in the classroom.”
Don’t Just Threaten; Do it Right Away
“Make sure that everything you do, you can do. If you’re sending kids to the principal, make sure it really happens. If you’re saying you’re going to call the parents, do it, as long as there is a parent.” (Mika, in Cushman, 2003, p. 39)
We don’t like to punish kids, but, sometimes, you have to. When they run around the classroom, craw on the floor, paint on the wall, or even throw a pencil at the teacher, what should you do? Just give them a reminder then let it go? No. I don’t think so. Although we should pay more attention on positive reinforcement, doing nothing or just giving them reminders when misbehavior happens may make a teacher weak and make the classroom go out of control.
For example, in one of the classrooms I observed during this semester, there were several Continue reading Don’t Just Threaten; Do it Right Away
Positive Attachment Drives Students’ Motive
“Liking a teacher can help with learning. It kind of ruins a subject if you don’t like the teacher. I never liked history at all. But this year I have a really cool teacher, and so even if it’s hard, even if I don’t do well on tests, I’m starting to like it more.”– Cushman
Although teachers play just as a facilitator in students’ path on learning, teachers may be a nice catalyst in the learning chemical reaction. Teachers join the reaction but are the products of the students’ learning.
For example, the student I shadowed in Essex Street Academy told me that she didn’t like the course, analysis of literature, but she liked the teacher. Continue reading Positive Attachment Drives Students’ Motive
Be the teacher whom students like
“It kind of ruins a subject if you don’t like the teacher. I never liked history at all. But this year I have a really cool teacher, and so even if it’s hard, even if I don’t do well on tests, I ‘m starting to like it more. BOSUNG” (Cushman, 2003, p20)
It is so true that liking a teacher helps with students’ learning, I think not only with learning a certain subject but also with other aspects such as forming a correct and positive attitude towards learning even towards life. Teachers, undoubtedly, play an extremely important role in a person’s life and can have great influence on that person.
Continue reading Be the teacher whom students like