I think one of the reasons why I wanted to become a teacher is because I cared about the youth. In college I was a preschool teacher for two years and I also mentored students at a local high school for over a year. I think it is SO important to show them that you care. However, in the beginning of my first year I felt that it was hard to express that. I felt at first it was hard to show that I cared because they perceived me as a "mean" and "hard" teacher. However, by January they warmed up and it was all smiles from there.
With so many of our students coming from broken, unhealthy homes, a teacher or coach might be their only positive role model in their lives. It is so important to show them that you just aren't their teacher, but you are their mentor if they ever need someone to talk to. Coaching and being involved in the community and after hours at school is so important when showing that you care. Going to football games, volleyball games, basketball and baseball all show that you are taking time out of your day to show that you are thinking about them.
With so many of our students coming from broken, unhealthy homes, a teacher or coach might be their only positive role model in their lives. It is so important to show them that you just aren't their teacher, but you are their mentor if they ever need someone to talk to. Coaching and being involved in the community and after hours at school is so important when showing that you care. Going to football games, volleyball games, basketball and baseball all show that you are taking time out of your day to show that you are thinking about them.
I wouldn't have been able to survive without my volleyball manager
I truly realized the aspect of caring when I was became the assistant coach for track. The head coach is very busy with our girls basketball team until the end of March so track doesn't get much attention until about April. A lot of the students found out that I was a runner and clang on to the idea of helping them train. It was a great way to bond, talk, and exercise with them. Since then I became the volleyball coach in the fall and I have started a Yoga Club every Wednesday and a Soccer Club every Thursday.
County Track Meet at Potts Camp
Sitting waiting for the long events during a district meet in Tupelo
Girls Volleyball Senior Night
Show them you love them through food! All of my students make fun of me for my healthy, vegetarian diet, so on the day of the state test I made sure they had fresh minds!! I created a GoFundMe account and raised over $150 to buy a healthy breakfast for my students. They came into school that morning and received bagels, strawberries, bananas, apples, and yogurt. They even got a little goodie bag with an encouraging note and mints to keep them focused during the long lest. Though I love all 100% of them, 86% of them made me really happy that day by passing!
I was also lucky enough to raise over $6500 through Donors Choose in the last year so that my students can have awesome and supplies throughout the class. Here are just a few things we have done with these wonderful donations!
I was also lucky enough to raise over $6500 through Donors Choose in the last year so that my students can have awesome and supplies throughout the class. Here are just a few things we have done with these wonderful donations!
Rat Dissection
"Never stop doing little things for other people. Sometimes it's those little things that will occupy the biggest parts of their lives."
Participating in a muscular fatigue giving blood with my students attending Kindergarten
labs with my students during my planning period graduation
labs with my students during my planning period graduation
Remind 101
An application recommended by past MTCers to have a safe and effective way to communicate with your students outside of school. I use this app to inform and remind parents and students about various homework, quizzes, tests, projects, extra credit opportunities, or to wish them well on ACT or college application processes. |