As teachers, we are an integral part of the whole, an important part of an incredibly grand design with an amazing platform and opportunity to share love, experience connection … Connection determines the quality of the relationship. When I have a student acting up in class or causing distractions, I attempt to have a conversation with them. Dr Drummond spends time speaking about the importance to connect with our students even through distance learning. This article that I’ve had read was amazing, I loved it I am doing Cadet teaching and just bonding with the kids is an amazing feeling, it’s a feeling that you’ll never let go on it’s amazing there are some kids that have trouble needs or just have a hard time getting to open up but it’s all about patience that it’s okay to be afraid I love working with kids there everything to me. But, I think it was our differences that actually helped us bond and become a “team.” Without my students, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. The reason, I believe, is that we all need to feel connected. You can listen to the interview using the player above. ], I’ll never forget what one of my college professors told me when I was studying to become a teacher. Teaching a full class can be a hectic task; paying attention to detail in the right areas is key to managing your time effectively in the task of connecting with students and touching their hearts. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. However, hearing your teachers say they care is one thing, but trusting, believing, and feeling it is another. Eric Jensen addresses some of this in “Poor Kids, Rich Teaching”. I don’t know any teacher who does not have bouts of nostalgia. The Ten Most Important Classroom Rules… 01 Dec 2020 When I worked in a rather up itself prep school, the extremely up himself Deputy Head once sent around a carefully laminated set of classroom rules to be installed on display boards in every room. Listen to my interview with Jim Sturtevant (transcript): [This post contains Amazon Affiliate links; if you make a purchase from Amazon after going there through my links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. She said the number one factor in our effectiveness as teachers would be the relationships we built with our students. The trust we have built, on a 1:1 basis and as a class (with each hour having its own special mix), is the reason that we are able to learn and grow together each day Obviously, some days are more challenging than others, but we are all a work in progress, and we’re all in it together! The concept of peer learning recognizes that students are an important source of knowledge in addition to faculty and course material. The teacher-student dynamic is a very tricky relationship. As stated, making connections during times of trouble are just as important. Connection can come in many way shapes and forms. Drop the nostalgia. And don’t forget teachers…they’re people too. Josh in New York begins his monthly PTA meetings by having students teach about a topic, lead a discussion, or show problem-solving strategies they've learned. Slow down and focus on connecting with your students as this new school year starts to set your classroom up for success. And the book definitely lived up to the promises made by that quick preview. Sturtevant has included dozens of hands-on tools you can use to develop and examine your own practice, like the “Environment Stealth Check” worksheet, which asks you to sit in your teacher’s lounge and tally up the number of positive comments you hear about students versus the number of negative comments you hear, or the “Anatomy of a Conflict” worksheet, where you break down the components of past conflicts and get a clearer understanding of how you might have handled them better. Molly from the University of Bath explained how they are using technology to increase connectivity between current students and alumni: “We have a very popular e-networking system, Bath Connection. 7 Reasons Why Connection With Self and Others Is So Important Not experiencing loving connection as a child can lead to feeling a deep yearning in adulthood. However, by connecting with them, it makes time in the classroom more enjoyable and a time that they may look forward to…or at least they won’t dread it. Keep persisting. The school year had just begun and her class was already showing signs of chronic negative behaviors. Contact Us. Students love photos and capturing the moment just like the rest of us. Students are not passive receptacles to be filled with information, instead, they are active learners. Tell your own stories. When they realize a teacher cares, the connection is made and they begin to behave better. The chance to see students perform greatly increases family attendance at school events. Your email address will not be published. Connecting with students isn’t just about smiles and funny stories. So, it’s a challenge for all the students of our world to go with the flow of advanced technology. Advisors can aid in building this connection by helping students understand that they should get to know their professors, if only so that faculty can teach them better. I came looking for it here, and thought I would share the link for others. Relationships help keep students engaged in learning, encourage best behavior, and give them a sense of pride and belonging. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Getting to know students both academically and socially is a critical part of student success. Appreciate the link! I completely agree with the importance of connecting with students. In the beginning you mentioned in passing that you weren’t aware of others writing on this topic. Make the classroom feel like home. Creating professional relationships with other students and professors on campus is crucial but can seem daunting. A sense of connection with teachers helps students feel like they belong at the institution. I kind of didn’t believe her. Students, like everybody else, expect to be able to connect these devices and other technologies they regularly use anywhere – including their educational institutes. “Troubled times are the best times for connection,” Sturtevant writes (226). They Might Help You More Willingly. How to encourage students to learn something new in Summer holidays? I've since learned that taking time to get to know your students will better help communicate the formal aspects of your curriculum. Unfortunately, trying to get this connection from others, rather than learning to connect with ourselves and others, can lead to many personal and relationship problems. Although I recommend you read the whole book, here are a few take-away lessons from the book that can improve the way you connect with students right now: 1. Iff students have an interest in learning something they are less likely to act … Read more . Districts that can are pushing for digital … Can't find what you are looking for? Thank you, again…all of this made me smile! Sturtevant urges us to learn about students’ musical tastes, the movies and T.V. One of the first ideas I had outside of academia came after hearing one of my online PLN members describe her new 3rd-grade class. I also had the privilege of interviewing James Sturtevant for my podcast. Now I agree with her 100 percent. The benefits of ICT in teaching and learning are more than you can think. 4. Be patient. Bottom line is this…once I came to the realization that I need my students as much as they need me, my days became much more enjoyable, my attitude toward everything seemed brighter, and my lessons were much more successful! But now, as districts across the country transition to remote learning, communicating with our students’ parents and guardians is more important than ever. Bring that passion to the classroom for an easy win with your class. Summit also helps parents to understand the importance of academics in the lives of their children and the time commitment that is necessary to set aside at home for homework. Studyafter studyreports that as social animals, humans need each other. If it wasn’t for those more difficult/challenging moments, we wouldn’t be able to appreciate the great ones, and we wouldn’t grow, academically or personally. HuffPost is part of Verizon Media. Thank you for the podcast! If we keep a wall between us and the students, they do not feel we care about them or how they succeed. These conversations help student connect with you outside of the teacher role, and on a more personal level. They also soar when relationships blossom! In their course subject, they achieve a lot of knowledge regarding Information and Communication Technology. I am actually going to be publishing a review of that book fairly soon. If we keep a wall between us and the students, they do not feel we care about them or how they succeed. A teacher working with a small group of children is when magic happens, eyes lock and accountability is inevitable. The importance of educational tours for students can be better in various ways. Loved this podcast! We increase the likelihood that our students will be able to recall and use what we teach by helping them engage their prior knowledge and connect new information to their prior understanding. “Do you remember earlier teaching years when parents were more involved and students were less hostile? Middle schools tried to encourage connection between staff and students by adding a period for advisory programs. September 13, 2019, Posted In Grad School Planning. While it can be tough, getting to know your students is a rewarding experience that will benefit your teaching, their learning, and everyone’s overall enjoyment of the classroom. I refuse to give up hope that we can still bring magic to our classrooms, even from a distance. one thing that often times goes unnoticed is the importance of networking! . It’s important that, as teachers, we allow ourselves to feel that mourning for our classrooms and our time with students, but once we work through those feelings, maybe we’ll be ready to redefine the magic we felt in the classroom. And even before I started reading James Sturtevant’s book, You’ve Gotta Connect — just skimming the table of contents — I knew I had found a kindred spirit, someone who believed the same as me and my college professor, that the relationships you build with your students are the key to working wonders in your classroom. Thanks, Aaron! Connecting with our students is an absolutely vital part of the work we do as teachers. Realizing the importance of connection can help us to co-create the life we want or the environment we desire by being open to the life we already have and the opportunities to create community where ever we are. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. Faculty members who understand the learning needs and interests of their students can appropriately tailor assignments, expectations, and … Lastly, Summit emphasizes the need for a united family - the team effort of a child's mother and father create a strong support system that greatly affects their child's ability to succeed. Setting Students on a Successful Path With the labor landscape constantly evolving, it’s more important than ever before to provide students with access to a myriad of experiences both inside and outside the classroom. I’ve been teaching high school in an urban setting district for the past 19 years. As a final thought, connecting students across our nation and globe can serve other purposes besides purely academic. Being a member of a learning community means engaging in reciprocal learning activities, soaking in new ideas and sharing perspectives and … 2. Students live in a very different world than the one we lived in at their age. You have time, perhaps all year. We need to feel supported, valued, and loved. “These actions show you care enough to pay attention to their world, even if it pulls you a bit out of your comfort zone to do so” (86). You can find him at his website (his latest post is on reverse engineering your connection with students) or on Twitter at @jamessturtevant. Thanks. Learn their culture. Run toward trouble. Take the opportunity to lay a foundation that will set the student, teacher, and yourself up for success. On educational field trips, students feel the sense of enjoyment which offers them to acquire a fresh perspective, learn new things and witness different sides of the country. “Gentle, focused nudging of a reluctant student toward being comfortable enough to open up a bit” is what will ultimately get you there, but don’t rush it: “Be cool! I completely agree with the importance of connecting with students. Families are facing the anxiety of having to manage their child’s schooling from home, and many of those same families are simultaneously facing uncertainty as to how they will access basic resources. It does not have to be earth shattering. I LOVE everything about this post! Keep prying. The goal is to have a strong relationship as soon as possible, but accept that it may not happen until late in the game” (88-89). Do you wish you were in that other school where you taught before — where you had fewer discipline problems and struggled with fewer slackers? A little love, care, and kindness goes a long way! In our conversation, he talks about how to deal with students who resist his attempts to connect, what it looks like when he has to reprimand a student, the research that shows the connection between teacher-student relationship and learning, and how people who aren’t naturally extroverted can still build strong relationships with their students. As teachers, it's important for us to understand that there is so much more to students than the life they lead in class, and it is important to show interest in a student outside of the day's homework. Most of us went into education hoping to change the lives of our students for good, and a connection is the way we do that. “Be on the lookout for difficult times, blowups, setbacks, failures, hurt, and disappointments,” resolve problems in a constructive, respectful way, and your connection to those students will be stronger. Students, like all humans, have a need to connect with others, including teachers. I travel the world solo, and the first thing I do when I set foot in a new country is to talk to people, create connections and in the long term, lifetime friendships evolve. That was before I started teaching. By continuing to use this site, you are accepting the use of these cookies. “Try to tell some sort of a personal story about once a week. by James Sturtevant, 278 pages, Incentive Publications, March 2014. shows they’re into, and the slang terms they use. There are many ways to relate your lessons and activities to the real world to increase student retention, student motivation, and interest in subject matter while maximizing learning opportunities. Sara Rimm-Kaufman, PhD, and Lia Sandilos, PhD, University of Virginia Improving students' relationships with teachers has important, positive and long-lasting implications for both students' academic and social development. Friendflluence is the word I use to explain the importance of friendships. Mix it up with new photos throughout the year to keep the conversation and student connection thriving each day. 5. 3. By slowing down and maybe not getting through the entire scope of your curriculum, … Advisory programs were to help ensure that every child had the opportunity to form a relationship with an educator in the school. It alerts each student that he or she is seen as another being and, in response, makes them all more attentive. I love them all and care about their success 100%, now and in the future. Making connections is just another way to describe learning how things are related to each other and how the physical world works. 2. The importance of connecting with current graduate students. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. I mean, I understood what she meant in theory, but I was pretty sure that planning interesting lessons and having a clear set of classroom guidelines were at least as important as “relationships.” I appeared to be listening attentively, but inside, I thought she was a little off the mark. When teachers bond with students, it creates a magical atmosphere where learning thrives! Do you pine for last year when you got through all the material with students who behaved pretty well and seemed to enjoy learning? A full transcript is also available if you aren’t able to listen, but James is a pretty entertaining guy to listen to, so it’s worth the time if you can make it happen. James Sturtevant teaches social studies at Big Walnut High School in Sunbury, Ohio. As you begin meeting the teachers and students it is vitally important to connect and communicate. For students, such classrooms are life altering! Actively engaging in class helps connect to your professor and peers; allows you to digest the material more easily; and ensures you’re getting your monies worth – remember, you’re paying to be in class. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. However, by connecting with them, it makes time in the classroom more enjoyable and a time that they may look forward to…or at least they won’t dread it. For some students, school is the best part of their day because it offers an escape from their life at home. One big barrier to connecting with students is our nostalgia for the past, the way we constantly compare our current students with the (better) ones we used to teach. Networking is a great way to connect with others in your field and create opportunities for yourself after college. The premise is, again, you have to connect with your students. Students need heroes they can look up to—someone to connect with—and that someone can be a teacher. When I started teaching, I wondered how I was going to ever make connections and build relationships with kids who were so different than me. It can be remembering the teacher’s … “You are, by definition, not ‘one of them.’ You don’t need to and should not be ‘one of them.’ If you want to connect to them, however, they must immediately sense that you value them” (81). Thank you so much for sharing! Our students come to us each with their own prior knowledge, conceptual understanding, skills and beliefs. Categories: Book Reviews, Classroom Management, Podcast, Tags: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, teacher-student relationships. First of all, this tour provides ample opportunity to exchange and learn many skills with each other. The way to stay connected is to connect with each individual child on a daily basis by working with children in small groups of four to six children. With students who are slower to warm up, we need to put our egos aside and just keep trying. As stated, making connections during times of trouble are just as important. Using a real-life connection into lessons will dramatically reduce classroom management challenges because engagement will increase. You’ve Gotta Connect is full of practical, actionable advice and loaded with tools to strengthen the quality of your connection with students. I am a firm believer of restorative discipline. Adam D. Drummond, EdD, … In doing so, we are setting students on a successful and fruitful career path. It keeps you from seeing THESE students — their needs and gifts” (52). It’s so important to connect and create friendships. Although the importance of building positive connections applies to all student-teacher relationships, it may be even more important in special education. You’ve Gotta Connect: Building Relationships That Lead to Engaged Students, Productive Classrooms, and Higher Achievement Children can expand their thinking by making connections. She felt so strongly about this that she paused, looked around so she could make eye contact with every person in the room, then repeated it: “More important than anything else you do as a teacher is the relationship you build with your students.”. You’ve Gotta Connect: Building Relationships That Lead to Engaged Students, Productive Classrooms, and Higher Achievement, reverse engineering your connection with students, How Dialogue Journals Build Teacher-Student Relationships, Book Review: How to Talk So Kids Can Learn, Notebooks for Classroom Management, Part 2, http://www.amazon.com/Visible-Learning-Teachers-Maximizing-Impact/dp/0415690153/. Children sort and categorize objects as one way of learning how things are connected. When you share parts of your own personal life with students, they get more comfortable sharing their own, and this is how connections are made. Growing up, I was raised in a 2-parent household that was filled with love, support, and encouragement…this is not the case with the majority of my students, unfortunately. Here are three simple things a teacher can do to connect with students and let them know … For the book by John Hattie with 138 research-backed impacts on student learning, which was referenced in the interview by Sturtevant, it is called “Visible Learning.” Here is a link to “Visible Learning for Teachers: Maximizing Impact on Learning” from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Visible-Learning-Teachers-Maximizing-Impact/dp/0415690153/. Solely improving students' relationships with their teachers will … You’ll get a lot of insight by reading You’ve Gotta Connect on your own, but it would also make an excellent book for group study. Connection can be as simple as a smile or a kind word. It helps facilitate the possible connections you make. There are many ways to learn more about graduate programs you might be interested in: online chat groups, on-campus information sessions, class visits, and – of course – the program website itself. This nostalgia interferes with connection to present students. By showing my students that I am more interested in why they behaved the way they did, or what is going on in their life outside my classroom shows that I truly care. When you get a lot of feedback or stories of their own, you know you have struck gold!” (202). Source . We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It doesn’t have to be long. These reproducible tools help you take the theories and ideas Sturtevant presents and apply them to your own teaching. 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Although the importance of connecting with students one thing, but trusting, believing, and kindness goes long! Past 19 years can listen to the classroom for an easy win with your students as this school! Made and they begin to behave better teaching High school in Sunbury, Ohio )... And gifts ” ( 52 ) theories and ideas Sturtevant presents and them. Of educational tours for students can be as simple as a smile or a kind word each! Ve got ta let go of it a real-life connection into lessons will dramatically reduce classroom,! About once a week looking for it here, and thought i would share the for. Believing, and on a more personal level ” Sturtevant writes ( 226.... Search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps own prior knowledge, conceptual,... Egos aside and just keep trying to get to know your students will help!
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