3 Things All Students Need From Their Teachers

My bloggy friend, Lisa from PAWSitively Teaching had a great idea to help support new teachers by sharing some Words of Wisdom. 

 Now… I've never thought of myself as wise. Usually, when I think of wise, I think of old… and I don't want to think of myself as getting OLD! Ha! Old?…Meeee???... No way!

But I will say… my words of wisdoms came so easily to me… either proving that I am wise… 

ooooorrrrrr I am getting old.   

 ?????   

Nah… let's just say I'm becoming more wise!

Before I begin, I will say that for any new teacher reading this… Congratulations! You are about to start one of the most rewarding careers ever!

 High Expectations

A teacher saying he/she has high expectations is one thing, actually having high expectations requires action.  High expectations means you start with the mindset that all kids can and will learn while they are under your care. Who does the responsibility of high expectations fall on? The teacher or the student? I would dare to say both. 

If I am going to hold little Johnny to a high expectation then I better do all in my power to get him there. 

As a teacher there are many actions you will need to take to prove to your students that you have high expectations for them. That you expect the best from them. That nothing short of their personal best is acceptable. (Notice, I said personal best. What is Johnny's personal best may be different than Sam's personal best. Non-the-less they are rising to their own best.)

Here are some thing to think about:

• Let your class know daily that you expect them to always try and never give up.
• Let them know that expecting their best does not mean perfection. In fact...
• Let them know that in your class mistakes are acceptable, even welcomed. Because mistakes are the best way for us to learn.
• Set attainable goals with them. You should know their goal. THEY should know their goal. What are they working towards today? This week? This month?  At the beginning of the year, it might be as simple as raise your hand to speak. It's still a goal. 
• Praise effort! If you want your kids to try their best, praise them for trying! Think of a toddler learning to walk. We don't clap for the baby until he's been able to take 100 steps without falling. We clap and smile as soon as he stands up on his wobbly legs. We clap even more when he takes a teeny step. We take the video camera out when that step turns into two steps. We are praising and encouraging the effort the toddler is putting forth knowing that it will motivate and encourage him to keep trying, knowing that it will lead to him eventually walking.
• Don't just praise. Give precise praise! "Good job!" is not enough. Even… "good job, with your letter writing." isn't enough. It doesn't let the child know what it was he/she did that merited a good job. Instead try: "Wow, Jill. I can tell you've been working hard on your penmanship. I noticed your lower case letters are starting on the middle line." You have acknowledged the accomplishment of nice letter writing and recognized the effort she's put into it.
• Expect 100% of your class to participate. Don't start talking, teaching, explaining or any other -ing until all are ready. Moving on… shows the one not ready that your expectations are lower for him or her.  (There are many ways to encourage them to be ready… I would need a whole other blog post for that.)
• Realize that every moment you spend with a child can be a moment you build them up or tear them down. It takes time to build a child up and very little time to tear them down. Most will believe the negative over the positive. All will hold on to the negative for a lot longer. Be the teacher that encourages them to believe the positive. Try to build your students up daily.

Here is our classroom's mission statement that we say every morning after the pledge of allegiance. I take the first few days of school to really explain what this all means. At first, I didn't think this would make much of a difference…. I was wrong. I've overheard students whispering these statements to self-motivate themselves. 

A Loving Classroom Culture

If you noticed with my first words of wisdom, the responsibility of high expectations falls on the teacher. I think the same goes for these words of wisdom. Creating a loving classroom culture begins with you. This one is hard for me to talk about without delving into my own circumstances so I'm going to share with you a little bit about my school.

The area I teach in is a neighborhood that isn't so safe. There is violence, drugs, shootings, arrests… weekly, if not daily. I mention this because it can help paint a picture of what my students face and have become accustomed to. The stresses they have are not normal for children their age to have.  That is why a loving, caring, supportive, accepting environment is what they crave and what I try to give them when they come into my classroom.

I tell them from day 1, that when they walk through our school's gate, they can leave all their fears and worries. They are safe in my classroom. Safe from bullying, safe from hatred, safe from anger. If they need to talk, I am there for them, if they need to cry, I am there for them, or if they need a hug, I am there for them.

In your own class, you will have students from all walks of life. Create an environment that is loving and safe. All kids deserve a place where they feel loved. We can't control home life but we can control the 7-8 hours they spend with us.

Every morning, I greet my students at the door. I smile at them and welcome them into my room. I express my happiness that they are there today or that I missed them if they were absent. (On a side note, whenever I'm absent… they tell me they missed me too.) It feels nice when others notice your absence. When they greet me, they can give me a one of 3 H's: a handshake, a high five, or a hug.  I let them decide how they would like to greet me.  It speaks volumes of how they are feeling.  For example: If a student that normally gives high fives, hugs me, then I know something is up. I will usually talk talk to him or her at recess or the first chance I get.  9 times out of 10 something is up.

Practice, Practice, Practice

I feel this goes with having high expectations too. I don't accept mediocrity from my students.  Does that seem mean? I hope not. I like to think of it as firm with high expectations. If they do something half-heartedly we try again until they've done their best.

There is a saying that practice makes perfect… I can see why people would say that but I disagree. In our district we say practice makes permanence.   The more kids practice routines and procedures correctly the more likely they will become permanent. Practice all routines and procedures until it's done to your liking. If they aren't doing it correctly, stop the class, and have them try again.  The students will catch on that you mean business and that you have high expectations.

Here are some routines and procedures you will want to have ready to teach the first week of school:

• walking into and out of  the classroom; walking in the hallways
• putting away backpacks
• collecting folders, lunch money, important papers, homework
• where do papers go
• what to do if they need a new pencil
• how to come to the rug
• how to move around the room
• when can they get a pencil, use the restroom, get a drink
• how will they share with partners
• how will they get your attention
• what they should do when you need their attention
• how to use glue, scissors, and other school supplies

I can't prove this but there may be a direct correlation between the number of gray hairs you get each year and how well your class is trained in routines and procedures.

Wow… how is that for wisdom?  I had a lot to say … I guess. If you'd like to read more great tips from some amazing teachers, head on over to PAWSitively Teaching and click on the other links. If you have a blog and some Words of Wisdom to share then head over to PAWSitevely Teaching and link up with the rest of us!

Lastly… as a welcome to any first or second year teachers, leave a comment below including your email and I will pick 3 teachers to email one of my store's products to. (Honor system in play! Thanks.)