Originally Posted by
DetroitTeacher
OK, I was refraining from posting here for obvious reasons but I'll take a shot at trying to explain why I think I have success with the kids. Bottom line is...I care and they know it. I don't accept the fact that I get a paycheck whether they learn or not. I make them make me earn my money. I do not want anyone to think that I am the most awesome thing since sliced bread. I don't have any answers but have just found what works best for me and my kids. Because of the following, I usually have kids who will bend over backwards and do what I ask of them. They know it's for their benefit because I already have my education. This is just what I came up with at 10:30 at night. I am sure my kids could provide you with more insight.
For the record, I am a "she teacher".
1) I treat each and every kid as if I gave birth to them. They deserve that respect. They know I care and I am there to kick ass if they don't succeed [[just like I would with my own kid).
2) I break things down. I know not all kids learn the same. I treat each kid as an individual and help them make goals for their personal gain, not to conquer some test.
3) I use lots of humor. I try and keep things in the class interesting [[you'd be amazed at how the kids get into the Anglo Saxons and Beowulf because I wear a silly Viking helmet when I give the lesson and read Beowulf).
4) I understand that some kids can multi-task and can't work in complete silence. I don't ban music in my class, as long as it isn't disruptive to others.
5) I understand that life happens. My kids have enough issues and responsibilities at home without my adding to it. I offer them class time to complete work.
6) I expect the best from them. I also demand that they expect the best from themselves.
7) I stopped calling their homes. I take care of issues in house. My classroom is like Vegas. What happens there, stays there. You'd be suprised what my kids face when they got home because a teacher called their house and was concerned about an issue the kid was having.
8) I care about them when they leave school [[not just the building, but in life). I keep in touch with my kids. The kids I currently have know this because it's all over my Facebook. They know I'll take the time to proofread and edit college papers. They know I'll help them with another teacher's work.
9) They trust me. I trust them.
10) If they need something, I care enough to make sure they have it. Mittens, hats, paper, food, a shoulder to cry on, tampons and toilet paper...they know it's in my room and if they need it, they can go get it. No need to ask.
11) I smile at them, cry with them, laugh with them, hug them, and am ready to kick their butts if they screw up.
12) I read everything they turn in, grade it, provide feedback...and do this all in a 3 day turnaround. They know they can count on me to set them on the right path if they don't understand something.
13) I always let them know what their grade is and what they need to do to improve. There are no secrets in my gradebook. I post grades on the wall...
14) I will go into the hall and drag them into my class [[or irritate them so much that they go to whatever class they are supposed to be in).
15) I am a believer in the "I do, we do together, you do with support and you do alone" method of teaching. The kids know they have the support and the objectives are clear.
16) If they don't get something right, I don't chastize or ignore the mistake. I take corrective measures and let the kids correct their mistakes [[they usually figure out what needs to be corrected before I even say anything).
17) If someone asks me a question, no matter how personal, I am honest with them. This is given back in their honesty with me.
18) I tell them personal stories [[much of what I relate, they are experiencing just at a different level). They know that I was a kid once [[and totally hated school).
19) They know I love my job. They know what teachers are doing what's best for the kids and they know what teachers are just there to collect a check.
20). They know I love them.
21) I come from their neighborhood. It was where I was raised. They know I have a vested interest in their well-being because I am "one of them".
22) When I take classes, I include them in what I am learning. I share with them the syllabus, I share with them topics of discussion. They know I am still learning and they appreciate the fact that I have tons of homework, too. I feel their pain.
23) I don't want them to agree with me simply because I am an adult or their teacher. I want and ask them to challenge me, to think for themselves, to have an opinion, to voice that opnion. I value what they have to say.
24) I know my stuff. The kids know that I know the literature. They know that I expect them to see something different in it than I do [[after all, I have a good...let's just say 25 years on em and have had different experiences). They can also tell you what teachers don't know jack about the subject matter.
25) I realize that there are no other kids like my kids. They know that I don't want to teach anywhere else. I appreciate what they go through just to GET to school and welcome them into the room each day. I also know all of their names. It's no small task with the multitude of pronunciations and the twin population!