As a teacher I have doubted more than once if students were going to be interested in taking my class. As you well know, high school and college students are not obliged to take part in the lessons if they don’t want to. A school rule is 80% of attendance, which is just to keep track of how many times they show up, because if they miss the 20% remaining there’s nothing you can do about it, since a student can’t fail a class due to absences. So, go figure!
Anyhow, what does a teacher need to keep students in class and not in the halls, cafeteria or out in the grounds? Well, that is a question that goes around my head every year. I do not claim to have the answer, but I can share my personal experience.
The first week of classes I take time to know my students at a personal level. Some colleagues have told me that it will take too much of my time, and suggest that I should stick to the syllabus. Nevertheless, I think these are precious hours for future rewards. I either create a Google Form or print the questions and give them time to answer. I ask them to be as open as they can, that way I will get to know them better. After that, I will introduce myself. Some students are more open to interaction, some might just watch and others will just ignore me, but that’s okay, that is also relevant for me. As the week progresses I give them my rules for the class and ask them to modify what they want. Many times they will. I have to tell you, I respect their rules more than mine because I want them to trust me. And thus, this is the beginning of a learning journey.
If students feel stressed, emotional, tired, overwhelmed or just can’t sit still, I try to accommodate the time and space for them to be comfortable during the 50 minutes that I will have them in the classroom. I want them to feel that they are in a safe zone. This helps them to work better, to understand each other, and most of all to reach the learning level while being at ease. Normally, most of the students will perform at their level, if they don’t they know the consequence will only affect them. I tell them everyday, numbers or a grade don’t define people, but without a doubt, they will help them to get higher scholarships in the future. So, they make decisions.
So, what is the teacher’s power? The relationship one makes with the students. If from the get go they know they can trust you, they will perform better than you ever thought they would. Really, they will impress you. I have been astonished by their results, and I let them know so, because I care and I am proud of the progress we all make together. I want to end with this quote:
“When one teaches, two learn.” -Robert A. Heinlein
Solange
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