Some mornings, I'd get a call from a mom saying her child was nervous to come in to school. I'd tell her to send him in and he could be my "before school helper."
Sometimes, my students would come in tired or upset. We would take a quick break to talk about what was going on. It was amazing how quickly the attitude in the classroom changed once students had a safe space to share.
Some days, my students would be full of energy. Those were the days a lot of brain and movement breaks were incorporated into my lessons. (Those were also the days my hair wound up in a crazy ponytail!)
But every day, I would give my students high fives, fist bumps and hugs and tell them how proud I was of them.
Making connections and getting to know students is vital for good teaching. One of my favorite things about my job is learning what is important to my students and using that to weave into lessons to engage them. These connections go beyond my classroom. I have built some strong relationships and friendships with students and their families. I still am in contact with students who are now in college and beyond.
As a tutor, I am able to teach differently than when I was in a classroom. With 1:1 or small groups that I work with, I can engage students in activities that hold their interests. I love to get kids outside and have them shoot hoops while they practice multiplication facts, use "fly swatters" to hit the word with the long vowel sounds, or do jumping jacks when practicing rhyming words. It makes the learning fun, enjoyable and engaging. I am able use strategies and teach skills that help the individual child.
With more and more uncertainty about this upcoming year, I am very thankful I have an opportunity to be able to still do what I love (teach) in a safe place. I can also "think outside the box" to make sure I meet the needs of individual students in a fun and nurturing environment. One of my favorite quotes from one of my students is, "Mrs. Guthrie when are we going to start working?" after he had been at my house working for over an hour. And that, right there, is why I believe connections are so important.
Comments