Authentic Relationships Made the Difference
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During my first year as a teacher, I mastered the art of being firm, but fair when working with my students. That year, I piloted an intensive support room for students with special needs that struggled with maintaining appropriate behavior in a traditional classroom. I had been taught in my teacher preparation program to maintain a clear distance between myself and my students so they knew I was the leader of the classroom. Once in the classroom, that attitude did not feel natural and only helped to disconnect me from my students. As a natural connector, I enjoyed using my humor and warmth to bring groups together and the distance I had between myself and my students prevented us from truly getting to know each other. After that year, I decided that I would do what I felt was right and develop meaningful relationships with all of my students.
The impact on my morale and my students' academic achievement was immediate and dramatic. The atmosphere in my classroom was filled with warmth and we developed a classroom community that valued a growth mindset, kindness, and honesty. If a member of the community was struggling, we rallied around them and helped them get back on track. The majority of my students started in my class well below grade level standards, but continued to stay motivated on achievement because of the personalized feedback and encouragement they received from me. Students that felt defeated because they were not able to read, write, or understand math like their friends were now asking to join me for lunch to practice new concepts or receive extra help. Every milestone was celebrated and our classroom community's paid off. When I left the classroom in 2017, my students had made an average of 2 years of reading and writing growth during each academic year. Some students grew as much as 3.5 years in 1 school year.
While I believe I am an engaging educator that can help even the most reluctant student get excited about learning, I believe the authentic relationships I developed with students and their families made the difference. I continue to check on my students to make sure they are still working towards their goals and provide advice on adolescent struggles when asked. My ability to develop authentic relationships with my students made all the difference and I am a better educator based on my relationships with all of my students.