Importance of Knowing Your Students
Last week, one of our students had a mild seizure.
At the time, we didn’t realize it was happening. The classroom teacher asked him a question and he stared up at her and didn’t respond. She began to get angry with him. She thought his lack of response was because he didn’t complete his homework assignment. He continued to stare up at her as she asked, “Do you or do you NOT have it?”
At that point, she became so frustrated at him that she grabbed her clipboard and threatened to give him a conduct mark for being disrespectful and defiant. She asked him again, “Do you have it? Say yes or no.” The student slowly shook his head – left to right – at which point she gave him two conduct marks – one for ignoring her and one for forgetting his assignment at home.
This landed him in detention.
When I walked into her classroom, she pulled me – and the student – into her planning room. She explained what happened and she asked me if I would talk to him to figure out why he was acting so strange. Before she left the room, she asked him, “Are you upset? If I took off the conduct marks if you promise to work with Ms. Divya, will that fix it?” He just stared at her. She angrily walked out of the room and left me to talk to this child.
We’ve had some medical scares with this student before.
He has diabetes and is required to check in with the nurse frequently to make sure his blood sugar is at an appropriate level. I asked him if I could see his insulin pump which displays his sugar level. He fumbled around in his pocket for it and slowly handed it to me. It didn’t appear to be out of range.
I asked him other questions about his day and his responses seemed very unusual.
This was not normal.
This wasn’t an act that he put on because he feared a detention for not turning in an assignment. This was something more serious. So I walked him up to the nurse’s office and we waited together until his mom arrived to take him to the doctor.
He spent the following two days at the hospital as the neurologist ran some tests. And, as our school nurse had suspected, he must have had a seizure in the classroom.
Importance of Knowing Your Students
Within the first 10 seconds of interacting with this student, I could tell something wasn’t right. I pull this child for 45 minutes each day for his reading intervention. So I’ve spent quite a bit of time with him. I didn’t need a doctorate or nursing license to figure out that his behavior was atypical.
I just needed to know him.
Building a relationship with our students takes time. Sure, some days, it may even chop off 10-15 minutes of a lesson you’ve planned for your class. But it’s important. It’s more important than the content. Because you’re not just teaching content. You’re teaching CHILDREN.
And if content is truly what you prioritize, you need to know that studies have shown – time and time again – that teachers who put in a little more effort to get to know their students end up getting more out of their students.
3 Things You Can Do to Get to Know Your Students:
1) Schedule time in your lessons to go off the script or curriculum.
Just always assume that you are going to need more time to cover content than you actually do. This gives you wiggle room. That means that if Jason gets called on to make a prediction about the space story you’re going to read and he goes on for 5 minutes about the time his cousin dressed up like an astronaut, you aren’t freaking out on your insides or snapping at him for ruining read aloud for everyone.
2) Greet your students at the door.
Even if you’re not entirely set up for the lesson. Even if you may not want to make eye contact with the teacher down the hallway. It’s such a small act, but it makes a world of difference. In the classroom where the teacher greeted the students at the door, there was an increase in student engagement from 45 percent to 72 percent (Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 2007 and 2011). This means that you’ve acknowledged each and every single one of your students before they even set foot in your classroom. That 1:1 check-in is a great way to gauge whether your student is ready for the day or may need a little extra love before they unpack their stuff.
3) Make time during your day to show students that you care about what is happening in their lives.
Sometimes I will pop my head in their other classes when I have my prep time. Or sometimes I’ll invite them to my room for a Lunch Bunch. And, even when I hate getting to work early, I enjoy having them in my room with me as I set up for the day. Because it allows for us to talk about things that are unrelated to their reading levels and science tests. I can talk to them about their siblings, their likes/dislikes, their plans for the weekend.
It may not come naturally. It may require a little more effort on your end. But the rewards are absolutely worth it. You will have an impact on your students’ lives for many, many years after they leave your classroom.
Questions of the Day:
- What steps do you take to get to know your students better? What would you add to this list?
- If you are a parent, what would you want your child’s teacher to know about your child?
So important to know the people who are your students. My kids have had quite a few issues where a one size fits all approach is used and the kids individualities are not taken into account. So frustrating!
First off, how scary for that student! I’m glad you were able to help figure out something was wrong. When I taught I always greeted students at the door. And since I taught first grade, going “off script” did happen (the planner in me just had to take a few deep breaths 😉 )/
Danielle recently posted…Bubble Guppies Birthday Party
This is really enlightening. Knowing who we are dealing with especially kids helps us to understand each person’s personality. Love this post. Well done
This is so, so important! I teach choir, and I find that the students sing so much better when I make an effort to get to know them and to get them to know each other. Thanks for this really well written article!
Goes to show there are great teachers and some not so great teachers. Getting to know your students should be a priority I would think.
candy recently posted…Chocolate Chip Cookie Mug
Wow! Just wow! What a moving story. I wish all the teachers would take their time, like you did, and would get to know their students better.
You have a great approach to getting to know your students. A individual plan is always best because, well, each student is an individual. Nice read. Thank you!
Beth || http://www.TheStyleBouquet.com
Beth recently posted…Interview with Interior Designer & Fashion Blogger Maria DeCotiis
Our teachers send out a questionnaire at the beginning of the school year to learn more about our children from the parents perspective.
Saidah Washington recently posted…How to Create the Perfect Bantu Knots
Oh, my goodness… that is SO friggin scary 🙁 Thank god you were there and had the judgement to call the parents and understand that this was more than a student simply refusing to be cooperative.
I swear, teachers are angels <3 That boy (and all of your students) are so lucky to have you, Divya!
XOXO
Charlotte recently posted…Finding answers in the universe (book review)
Thank you for taking the time to be patient with that child. It is so important for us as educators to listen to our students even when they are not talking.
I taught in a VERY low income area for 16 years and I knew my students, a bit too much sometimes. They came from some bad situations and they knew they could tell me anything, and they did. They trusted me. It drove me nuts when teachers didn’t take the time to find anything out about the kids they had with them all day.
Heather @ Kraus House Mom recently posted…Guess Who Went Blind Again, and Didn’t Know It
I think its very important for the school administration to know who the children are. It is part of their jobs to keep track of them on a personal and professional level throughout each day.
Katie Kinsley recently posted…FRIDAY FIVE | NINE
Wow. What an amazing and scary story. I’m so glad you were on hand to recognize something was amiss.
Jackie recently posted…How To Make A Vision Board
My son’s teachers are great and know all of the little things about him and don’t hesitate to call me if something seems off. He gets overly emotional when he’s getting sick and within hours he could spike a fever – but they’ll let me know if he’s emotional so I know what to look for. I think it’s so important for teachers to really take notice of their students habits.
Jaime recently posted…Currently…March 2017
This is probably the single most important thing we teachers can do! It is so easy to get caught up in the time crunch of teaching standards, but real learning happens when you develop relationships with your students. I am now a virtual teacher and many of my students I never see and know them only by voice. But I KNOW them. I know when they are not tuned in or having a rough day because as you said, I take time to let them know I am interested in their lives and I go off script to check in with them. Your tips are PERFECT!
Brittany Ferrell recently posted…How to Be a Number Hero: A Math Activity for Preschoolers
When I was in school I always wished I knew my teachers better so that I would feel more comfortable going to them for help or anything else I needed. Like you pointed out about teachers greeting their students, I always like it better when teachers did that than when they just ignored me walking into the classroom.
I can see how teachers could run into giant misunderstandings like this. I like your ideas. I do think going the extra mile to get to know your students helps.
When I was teaching I realzied how important it was to read all the forms and really know my students. You never know why they respond to something in a certain way.
I am not a teacher but I was a camp counselor for 2 years and this is definitely true and so important. Thank you for sharing this so other teachers know and see that.
I’m so glad you knew that student well enough to figure out something was up with him!
It is so important to know your students. I find it tricky as a relief teacher, as I don’t always have the same students, but when I do, I make a point of learning their names and asking a few questions about them and their interests so that the next time I see them I can ask about how they are going. It makes life so much easier in the classroom from a behaviour management perspective, and I find they will often seek me out to tell me about how they are going, what they did on the weekend or what’s new with them (plus I really enjoy hearing their stories and achievements!) 🙂
Dominique recently posted…We’re Looking for Parenting Bloggers!
I was a very shy, very introverted kid (still am!) and teachers then didn’t really understand. It was so difficult for me to function in groups. It would have been great if they had come to know me better. I love how teachers these days are more aware!
Every teacher should read your posts! These tips are so simple, but I see so many teachers who don’t ever put in the extra effort to get to know their kids. Your example drives home exactly why this concept is so important.
Rose recently posted…DIY Shamrock Shaped Bokeh How to for St. Patrick’s Day
Of course I would want the teacher to know my child’s medical issues and if there were something as serious as a possible seizure that they had me and the doctor on speed dial. I don’t know. That is crazy that the teacher wouldn’t know it.
David Elliott recently posted…Review of Kong: Skull Island
Knowing the student is a must. It was told to us as well. It is for that reason we also do home visitations to those students who are lagging behind the class. Most of the times, those students have problems on their family. No parents to guide them or no money to buy foods. Teachers play as a surrogate parents and must do the best to reach for those students who need it the most.
This is so true. I student taught in a district where many of the kids had very bad home lives. I learned so much from watching the teachers interact with the students and give them a safe place in their lives. Teachers make more of a difference than most people realize.
Vicki @ Babies to Bookworms recently posted…Teaching Kids to Cook with The Tiny Chef!
These are some really great tips! I always loved the teachers that actually got to know us students. Those are the teachers that left an impact that’s for sure
Very good intuition on your part! What a scary situation, I’m so thankful that you were able to see something was wrong and took immediate action.
Aija recently posted…Day 13: BossChix Network 31 Day Goal-Getter Challenge
I love this! It’s so important to get to know your kiddos for many reasons. Greeting them, having lunch bunches, and finding a few minutes for each kiddo during the beginning weeks to get to know them.
Jessica Bradshaw (@loveyoumoretoo) recently posted…At Home Spa Sunday
What an informative post.
Kudos to you dear sweet Ms. Divya (teacher).
Blessed are those kids who have you in their lives.
Love you sweeets for being such a passionate teacher.
xoxoxoxoxo
I love how you go the extra mile and really put the extra effort into getting to know your students. I think everyone here will agree, not allteachers are like that these days. Very inspiring indeed!
Chelf recently posted…How to Make your Home your Happy Place
Like I said before you are a great teacher and I want you to move to Oklahoma and show some of these rural teachers how it’s done.
Omg thank goodness for you i hope she takes everything that happened into consideration and will take your input as well.
It’s great that you take the time to know your students. My son’s teacher this year has been great. She noticed he was having a harder time with his French reading and suggested we take him out of his English class and take an extra French course.
Marielle Altenor recently posted…Grateful Sunday: It really could be worst! There’s Always a Silver Lining!
I love your post and that you show how important it is to get to know your students. This is so important!!! Especially in times where classes get bigger every day because everything needs to be more efficient and stress levels are up up up in the sky. Thank you for trying to make this world a better place!
I blame the over crowded classrooms for that. I am sure that a teacher will end up knowing his student if he gets to teach him personally, so to say in a private hours. If there are 30 kids in a classroom, how can you know them all. Thanks for your read. 🙂
Helene D’Souza recently posted…Easy Pizza Dough Recipe from scratch – How to make pizza dough – Classic soft Pizza Crust + Video
I love all the videos our now of teachers doing just what you are suggesting and really getting to know their students, Kudos to you for being that kind of teacher as well!
I love this. Every ear i taught, I would have students fill out a get to know you card at the beginning of the semester asking for their hobbies and their academic strengths and weaknesses.
Tayler recently posted…Disney Lessons | Wreck-It Ralph
Can I have you as a teacher? Thanks for caring.
Very helpful article. Having a great teacher-student relationship is vital in everybody’s life.
http://www.learn2livefully.com
nisha recently posted…Build Self-confidence: Here are 23 Ways to help You to be Super Confident!