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Month: August 2018

Aug302018

What it Means to live with your Students

I recently read an Edutopia article entitled “6 ways to build rapport with your students” by Helen Boyd (2018) (https://www.edutopia.org/article/6-ways-build-rapport-students). In this article, Boyd, an English teacher and instructional coach recommends “standing in the hall between classes” (Boyd, 2018) as one of the recommended strategies. Ironically, this suggestion and Boyd’s overall article inspired me to think of another important way that teachers could build rapport–by living with their students.

I currently live in a dorm where I have the opportunity to interact with my students outside of the classroom dynamic. In my 5 years as a dorm parent, I have come to enjoy having a relationship beyond the boundaries of the classroom setting. When I first transitioned into dorm life, the move was preceded by nervous anxiety due to never having had this type of experience. These feelings have evolved into the realization that I am a part of a model that I wholeheartedly believe in. Why do I believe in this model? Over the years, I have been able to establish more of a rapport with my students. Rather than “standing in the hall” (Boyd, 2018) as Boyd suggests, I actually live down the hall. Some may say (and some have said) that I could accomplish this type of rapport by simply knowing my subject, applying best practices and connecting with my students in the classroom. Although I fully agree with the aforementioned, there is something even more special about having the ability to connect with your charges when the school day “ends.” The following are some of the ways my teaching practice has deepened as a result of living down the hall:

  1. Further access to teacher outside of the formal classroom setting

This is actually a very important point to consider for students who are more introverted. These students do not always feel comfortable asking questions in the classroom setting. Moreover, although I highly encourage my students to ask questions during class and/or through scheduled consultations, time does not always permit. Therefore, accessibility beyond the “normal” school hours is an added benefit to the student and me.

  1. Students as neighbors allows for a more dynamic perspective

During my high school days, I remember thinking that my teachers lived in the classroom where they taught. I had an isolated idea about who I thought they were because of the limited exposure to other facets of their lives. While in the dorm, my students are my neighbors. They are privy to my and my family’s routines. They develop more of a dynamic idea of who I am and respect me as such. I appreciate the level of comfort that is developed throughout the school year. Most importantly, I appreciate the rapport that is built based on this communal model.

  1. Relationship Building beyond the classroom increases level of comfort in the classroom

Every year, I reflect on the differences between the students who are my neighbors and the students who are not. So far, the trend leans toward a higher comfort level in the classroom, earlier in the year, for the students who are in the dorm. For example, last year, I went on maternity leave at the start of the school year. However, I continued to live and work as a dorm parent. The students who lived in my dorm were far more comfortable with my transition back in the classroom. I believe this is due to the interaction they had with me in the dorm.

In “Estimating the Effects of Dormitory Living on Student Performance” by Araujo and Murray (2010) at The Center for Applied Economics and Policy Research, the researchers found that dormitory living could be a stressful experience for students; at the same time, students who live in dorms fare at an exceedingly higher rate than those who do not. The authors found that living on campus “…caused a cumulative GPA increase of almost a half letter grade” (Araujo & Murray, 2010). This data is based on higher-level education. However, following these findings, I wondered if, in the future, researchers will find that dorm living in secondary education also causes increase in student performance and improved rapport with teachers–this has been my experience thus far.

As usual, I like to leave you with a tune for connection and enjoyment. This evening, while rehearsing with The Straight Ahead Big Band, I sang a jazz tune composed by Johnny Green entitled “Out of Nowhere”. This title is reflective of my role in the dorm. Although I never imagined I would be in this role at the start of my teaching career, I am truly thankful for the experience and opportunity to build rapport with my students on a much deeper level. Enjoy!

I welcome you to share comments and subscribe…

Aug232018

Informing Teaching Goals According to Nation’s Report Card

As a member of the International Literacy Association (ILA @ www.literacyworldwide.org), I have access to national and international reading trends at various grade levels. In addition to this information, researchers in the education field with specific interests in the area of literacy, share strategies, lessons and ideas implemented in classrooms across the country that empower young readers. This past week, I was intrigued by the ILA’s response to The Nation’s Report Card @ www.nationsreportcard.gov (2018), which provides graphs and statistics to show how students fare, overall, with reading proficiency. Overall, nationally, we have flat-lined in this area with no major improvements for the past decade. Unfortunately, the inequalities are most evident in schools where mostly African American, Latino and international students attend.

Why is this the case? According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or the NAEP, this is the case due to systematic misalignment (ILA, 2018). Essentially, All involved in the school system, especially teachers and principals must have an intentional plan to change the course of student reading proficiency levels. Although there is no “…singular solution…”(ILA, 2018) in remedying our flat-lined reading scores, focused attention on curriculum, content and grade-level texts can have a major impact on student interest and ultimately an improved report card.

As an English teacher and reading specialist, this information is most important for informing my teaching goals. The following are ways in which I plan on instructing with the NAEP report in mind:

  1. Allow students the autonomy to select reading materials throughout the year
  • Independent reading projects during at least one term in the school year
  • Share novels, short stories and poems that have made an impact on my life and ask students to do the same
  1. Focus more on end goal curriculum planning
  • What should students know by the end of their four years in school?
  • What should students know by the end of the year?
  1. Embrace other content areas to inform instruction
  • Connect the background information of a focal text with what is learned in other academic courses
  • Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines

The ILA’s report is correct in stating that there is no singular solution to improving overall student reading proficiency (ILA, 2018). We can begin, however, through intentional systematic approaches that aim to serve the student demographic struggling most. If, through research, it is discovered that a particular demographic is achieving at a higher percentage than the nation’s overall report, we should also be willing to adopt that particular demographics’ strategies. All in all, we must “Wake Up” as the late Teddy Pendergrass suggests:

What are your thoughts regarding the Nation’s reading report card? I’m looking forward to your subscription and comments….

Aug152018

Reflection, Intention and Prayer for the School Year

Reflection, intention and a prayer for the new school year:

Yes. I said it. The school year is upon us and teachers are hustling and bustling to switch mental gears from summer to more formalized days. Parents are in stores trying to check off the list of supplies needed for the year and students are either dreading or looking forward to classes. During all this activity we call “gearing up for the new year,” it is important to remember that we all should take time for reflection, intention and prayer. I usually do not share my thinking process “behind the scenes;” however, I believe it is important for us to learn how various individuals ready themselves for the classroom, as it is a sacred place.

Before sharing my reflections, intentions and prayers that prepare me up for the new year, I first want to share with you a song that always puts me in a space of thanks.

Song: Donny Hathaway’s “Lord Help Me”

Reflection (What I ask myself before the year begins. These questions are applicable to students and teachers):

1. What were the highlights of the school year last year? How can I replicate this?
2. Where did I excel most?
3. Was I challenged enough? If I was not, what can I do to ensure that I have the accurate level of challenge?
4. Which class(es) were my favorites? Why?
5. Which class(es) were my least favorites? Why?
6. What were student responses during the evaluation process? What can I do to improve the classroom experience  based on their suggestions?
7. Did I schedule enough me time during the year?
8. Did I schedule enough family time during the year?

Intention:

1. I’m usually very reserved when sharing information about my home life. At the same time, I know that this information is important to share if you expect to build trust and community. Especially for purposes of personalizing lessons and discussions in the classroom. Considering this, I intend on sharing more about my life with my students.

2. Consultations are usually an optional feature for students who require additional assistance. I plan on making consultation a requirement for the first term. I feel that if students can get over the initial consultation meeting, scheduling the following consultations should be a less complicated matter.

3. I’m seeking ways to discover each one of my students’ gifts in the context of our class dynamic. I plan on doing this by designating room for open-topic writing assignments and journal entries. In the past, I allowed one student to continue writing her novel for her journal entry assignments instead of responding to prescribed prompts. She is now working with me through an independent study course (more on her journey in future posts).

Prayer:

……, thank you for blessing me with the great opportunity to help shape lives. The teaching field is an incredibly rewarding career where I have the opportunity to build upon skills learned and share them with colleagues and students alike.

Thank you for blessing me with another day of life and the hope that I will continue to see more days where I can be(come) more of my authentic self. May this authenticity translate into having more of a connection with my students. Bless each one of them as they face challenges that will shape them into the beings they are evolving into everyday. Bless their parents as they learn how to allow their children more independence. Moreover, help parents to feel confident that all who are in contact with their children have their best interest at heart and are in the teaching field because of the responsibility that they feel for the youth.

Continue to teach me how to work smarter and not harder than is required. Allow me to share my knowledge in a manner that will spark many “aha moments” and encourage the discouraged.

Thank you for allowing me to recognize the important role that I play in my classroom, community and in this lifetime. Thank you for allowing me the insight and the strength to be at peace with the realization that I am where I need to be in this very moment. Therefore, I will give my all to this very moment.

As you prepare for the school year, what do you do to get yourself in a space to teach? Please feel welcomed to share below:

Aug82018

Fostering Student/Teacher Relationships

Hello Friends,

Welcome to my second post; this is cause for celebration! I plan on celebrating with you today by sharing my reflection on my years in the classroom. As the school year is upon us, I am particularly thankful to have the ability to apply the following two tips (yes, only two) for fostering meaningful student/teacher relationships in the classroom.

Before I elaborate on these tips, I’d like to add that my inspiration comes from performing James F. Hanley’s “Zing Went the Strings of my Heart” which was made popular by Judy Garland. This is by far one of my favorite tunes to perform with Straight Ahead. Moreover, what better way to explain how your heart feels when it has been captured—Zing!!! (Please listen to the audio for more of an understanding of the brilliance of this tune; or simply continue with the two steps, below):

More about fostering meaningful relationships:

If you are an educator, you have already learned that students will not be (as) driven if there is no personal connection or investment in the class. I usually see this when a student has a more preferable subject area. In this case, I continue to share my content and teach according to the standards/objectives for the school year; however, in my earlier teaching years, I was not yet conscientious that I was able to create a plan to assist students with having more of a connection and being more personally invested in the class. Today, I understand how imperative it is to connect with students beyond the standards/objectives of the course, even when one feels that “English is not my subject.” I’ve shared only two tips because these are the areas where I’ve been able to make the most meaningful connections throughout the years.

The following is my approach to fostering more meaningful relationships in the classroom and getting to the point where “Zing Went the Strings of my Heart” for each student:

  1. Consultation

Consultation is a designated time when a student and teacher will meet to discuss matters of the classroom (and/or beyond). These matters might relate to differentiated instruction, further assistance/guidance with an assignment, grade checks, or an informal chat.

Consultation is designated for that particular student and teacher to connect beyond the dynamic of the classroom. This connection is an opportunity for confidence building and trust for both the teacher and student because the teacher will have a more focused idea of what the student needs and how he or she can meet those needs. On the other hand, the student can feel more confident in his or her own space, with the teacher, rather than asking questions which he or she may otherwise feel uncomfortable to ask in the classroom environment.

Overall, scheduling a consultation is a sure way to foster more of a student/teacher connection due to privilege of having one on one interaction.

  1. Classroom Discussions

Now this area is no doubt my favorite way to learn about my students and how they think in relation to the texts we are reading or in general ways. I have learned a wealth of information about my students’ personal lives and their views of the world at large through discussion. The most interesting aspects of discussion is when the focus veers away from the actual topic. For example, we might be discussing Richard’s Wright’s plight as a writer and memoirist and eventually end up on a topic about the presidency and how students are affected by the current administration. Yes! Seriously. We discuss these topics in my class. We also discuss music and hobbies that are meaningful to my students.

Overall, classroom discussions are an excellent way to remain on topic or veer away from it in order to learn more about the individuals in the classroom.

Consultation and discussions continue to be the ways in which I draw closer connections to my students. In addition to these two approaches, I also include literature and activities relatable to students (more about this in my future posts).

I’m looking forward to learning about your approach(es) to more meaningful connections in the classroom. Additionally, if you have any questions about discussions or consultations, you are welcomed to ask. Please share in the comment box below.