Teacherscribe’s Teaching Tip #1
This is the most important thing you can do: build relationships. Relationships are a bridge that allows you to deliver instruction and criticism.
Content is important. Standards are important. Engagement is important. Discipline is important. But all of that is wasted if the students don’t know how much you care.
This is especially true with Millennials and Gen Z. The millennials want to be coached, not taught (and I don’t really blame them. I loved my education, but I always found it more relevant when I had a guide on the side rather than a constant sage on the stage). Gen Z doesn’t just want coaching. They want to be mentored. The only way to mentor is to build relationships and to let your mentee know how much you care.
Do that and you will lay the foundation to deliver content that meets the standards in a very engaging environment that will keep discipline issues to a minimum.
Still doubt it? How do you think I’ve lasted 14 years teaching summer school at the ALC? Think about that. The ALC, which means - at least for summer school - credit remediation. Students take classes that they failed previously. How motivated do you think they are to endure a similar class again. If you ever fail one of those SafeSchool Training Quizzes and have to (God forbid) watch the tutorial again or at least take the quiz again, how thrilled are you? Exactly. Then on top of credit remediation, add in the fact that is not only occurs in the summer, but it occurs during the morning. I don’t deal with the most inspired and motivated bunch, but we make it work because of culture and relationships.
Think back to your very favorite teachers, coaches, bosses, and mentors. I bet each one had an impact on you because of the relationship they built with you.
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