As
teachers, we don't always know how much to share about our lives. They
tell us to never give out our personal information—where we live, cell phone
numbers, personal emails or Facebook connections, stories about our lives, etc. It's really to protect us, but it also
keeps a wall up between us and our students. But this year I have shared
more about my life, as my students have shared with me, and it really has made
all the difference.
Recently, I had my students complete a project called "The Soundtrack of My Life" in order to kick off the school year and dive into our Descriptive Narrative essays. The kids had to think of significant moments in their lives that helped shape who they are as individuals, and they had to find music that connected to these events, creating a soundtrack as if their lives were a movie. They shared some of the most personal experiences I've ever heard, some very painful and emotional, and allowed me to get to know them on a such a deeper level. Some of the things they revealed to me actually enlightened me as to how I should approach them as learners in order to help them better. The biggest thing this did for me is to help me see them as human beings, not just students. What adults sometimes forget is that kids are humans too, very emotional and sensitive humans. Some of them have such serious things they deal with when they leave my classroom that they couldn't possibly care about writing an essay or studying vocabulary when they go home. And for some of them, the eight hours they spend with us are the best part of their day, surrounded by comrades in a place where they feel safe and loved. This project opened my heart to these kids and let them in, and as a result, I feel like we're making more progress than we ever have before.
After they created their projects, they asked me to create one of my own. It was strange at first because I see myself as a facilitator—I give them opportunities to learn and grow, and I don't like to be the center or have it be all about me. But they wanted me to share, so I did. I shared with them some of the best and some of the toughest times in my life, and I used the 20+ years I have over them to show them how I got through those tough times and what I've learned in all my years. The funny thing is, I think it had the same effect on them as their projects had on me—I became a human being in their eyes. I have feelings, I have a heart, I have hopes and dreams, I've endured tragedy and heartbreak, and I've made it through. I've learned that when we see each other as the human beings that we are, we have a respect for each other that perhaps wasn't there before. I feel that they're working harder because of it. They're trying and caring, and giving me a reward that's better than a paycheck—excitement and enthusiasm for learning.
As I was sharing some writing samples from previous students, I heard some kids saying, "Wow, I want to write like that." And then they asked if we could just start writing the essays. They actually wanted to write an essay. When I showed them my blog, they actually asked if they could write one. They even suggested that they write one for homework. Let me say that again… They were assigning themselves homework! I was dumbfounded. By the next day, two kids had started blogs in their free time and even gave up their lunch period to come and get my help with it. That right there is the reward. It might not pay my bills, but it certainly pushes me out of bed every morning and keeps me rolling into that classroom every day, ready to help my little humans.
Recently, I had my students complete a project called "The Soundtrack of My Life" in order to kick off the school year and dive into our Descriptive Narrative essays. The kids had to think of significant moments in their lives that helped shape who they are as individuals, and they had to find music that connected to these events, creating a soundtrack as if their lives were a movie. They shared some of the most personal experiences I've ever heard, some very painful and emotional, and allowed me to get to know them on a such a deeper level. Some of the things they revealed to me actually enlightened me as to how I should approach them as learners in order to help them better. The biggest thing this did for me is to help me see them as human beings, not just students. What adults sometimes forget is that kids are humans too, very emotional and sensitive humans. Some of them have such serious things they deal with when they leave my classroom that they couldn't possibly care about writing an essay or studying vocabulary when they go home. And for some of them, the eight hours they spend with us are the best part of their day, surrounded by comrades in a place where they feel safe and loved. This project opened my heart to these kids and let them in, and as a result, I feel like we're making more progress than we ever have before.
After they created their projects, they asked me to create one of my own. It was strange at first because I see myself as a facilitator—I give them opportunities to learn and grow, and I don't like to be the center or have it be all about me. But they wanted me to share, so I did. I shared with them some of the best and some of the toughest times in my life, and I used the 20+ years I have over them to show them how I got through those tough times and what I've learned in all my years. The funny thing is, I think it had the same effect on them as their projects had on me—I became a human being in their eyes. I have feelings, I have a heart, I have hopes and dreams, I've endured tragedy and heartbreak, and I've made it through. I've learned that when we see each other as the human beings that we are, we have a respect for each other that perhaps wasn't there before. I feel that they're working harder because of it. They're trying and caring, and giving me a reward that's better than a paycheck—excitement and enthusiasm for learning.
As I was sharing some writing samples from previous students, I heard some kids saying, "Wow, I want to write like that." And then they asked if we could just start writing the essays. They actually wanted to write an essay. When I showed them my blog, they actually asked if they could write one. They even suggested that they write one for homework. Let me say that again… They were assigning themselves homework! I was dumbfounded. By the next day, two kids had started blogs in their free time and even gave up their lunch period to come and get my help with it. That right there is the reward. It might not pay my bills, but it certainly pushes me out of bed every morning and keeps me rolling into that classroom every day, ready to help my little humans.
