Being true to yourself
Thu, 09/17/2009 - 10:34 — pbrady
How do you bring a little bit of "you" into the classroom? What parts of "you" are you willing to share with students--and what parts do you prefer to leave at home?
Better true that foreign to your self!
Teaching is a life experience and i cant imagine how we can leave our own experiences, or even not allow students own experiences to "come" to class.
Being true to onesself or allowing students to share their personal stories helps learning maintain it natural aspects. Its helps learners, and teachers connect into a lasting experience shared perspectives. Of course you have to wait for Moments when stories fit into the Topic.
Such personal stories also bridge the psychological gaps between leaners themselves and teachers as well, and probably, there is no better way to deal with classroom tensions than this!
being human and building relationships
I want students to know I’m human. When I provide examples in class, sometimes I’ll use examples from my life. I tell students about how I struck-out last night in my softball game or about the great book I just finished. Being human is important. It is the first step in building a trusting relationship with my students. When I greet my students at the door each day, I ask them about their football game, their father’s trip, or their weekend plans. It’s a two-way street.
Of course there is a limit to the stories and examples we should tell our students. What’s important is that students are learning, and it is my experience that they learn best from the teachers with whom they’ve established personal connections and have built trusting relationships.
Personal connection
I think one of the most important things for students and teachers to realize is that yes, we are human too! I do the same thing by using my personal life as an example, of course in a professional manner.
Students need to realize that everyone makes mistakes and has bad days, and we all have similar experiences that can be learned from.
Personal Connection
I think you're right when you say that students need to realize that everyone has bad days and makes mistakes.
I'm wondering if anyone has tips to share. How can teachers make human connections with their students? Have you done anything that may help others connect to their own students? Do you have strategies or lessons that focus on developing this personal connection?