Thursday, July 23, 2009
Physics and Bow Ties
I have been doing some thinking over the recent weeks as to what I want to accomplish as a teacher. We discussed student achievement and what it means for our students to be successful. I understand that standards have a large place in education today, but I feel that the most important part of teaching is how we reach those standards. From my experiences student's learning is increased by a strong relationship with the teacher. As many can probably tell, I like to take a jovial approach to learning and life. I feel that if the students are having fun with me, they will trust what I say more. This builds a foundation for learning success. I also know that strong teacher student relationships in my past made me strive for knowledge. I did not want to let my teachers down and I worked constantly to prove this. I feel that when teachers get to the level of the students, each is more likely to benefit. As we go out to teach, please keep this in mind. Don't try to become friends with your students, try to understand them and allow them to understand you. Bow ties for everyone.
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I think you make a great point! It's very important to establish healthy relationships with your students. If they feel like can trust and respect you, they are going to more easily meet the goals you have planned for them. I think that you are going to be a great teacher! The kids will really love your light heartedness and positivity! Please keep it up, we need people like you in the education world!
ReplyDeleteGood advice, Phil. It reminded me of what the students we conferenced called told us. "Don't try to relate to us." I wrote about authenticity in my personal statement when I was applying to UM and I think that this issue is truly fundamental. Teenagers will see right through us if we pretend to know what it's like to be a teenager today. The "cool" factor will fade as we get older but if we can maintain our integrity and authenticity, we can continue to reach our students. We are not supposed to be their friends. That doesn't mean that we can't have meaningful relationships with them. But we always have to understand the boundaries.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, your remind me of one of my favorite teachers! Social studies, ninth grade, big smile, always made us laugh.
Good point, Phil,
ReplyDeleteWe will have to keep on track with purposeful objectives in each class session and this technology might come in handy to get a quiet class engaged, but most of the time, a physics teacher will be using more traditional methods.
Phil, your comment is a great reminder that while Lauren's kids are right to remind us that we don't want to be our student's buddy, that we can play a highly significant (and motivational) role in our student's lives. In this connection, force of personality can be a great asset, so you're definitely ahead of the game.
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