My first week of the new school year is over, and I have to say that I learned a BIG lesson…teaching begins with the relationships you build with students.
The reading team had decided to focus on relationship-building exercises to help everyone…teachers and students alike…get to know each other and develop bonds.
I’ll admit that I was a bit skeptical of doing so many of these activities. It felt almost as if I was treating my students like they were in elementary school.
However, I kept going back to something my friend, Barbara (otherwise known as Teacher Extraordinaire), said to me once. She told me that kids are kids, no matter where they are…no matter which school they attend. Kids need to know they are loved.
I am teaching a completely different group of kids this year. They are different in almost every way imaginable. They have unique needs as well.
The one common thing about them is that they desire acceptance.
This week, I saw eyes light up as connections were made.
The manner in which some of these connections were made have been…um…interesting…to say the least.
You’re just going to have to trust me on this.
I’ve already heard some difficult things from my students as they’ve shared some details of their lives.
The building of relationships creates trust, and that is something my students, in particular, need desperately.
I still have a lot to learn…how to complete and process the various forms my district requires…how to dial out on my classroom phone (this is embarrassing, but the whole school is having problems learning about the new phone system’s quirks).
One thing that I feel very equipped to handle, though, is the relationship part of my vocation.
These kids have no idea that I’ve prayed for them ever since I found out I would be teaching them. They don’t know that I love them with a fierce protectiveness that is difficult to put into words.
Building relationships is the first step on this journey.
It’s going to be an interesting and exciting adventure!
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