Phillip Massa
March 4, 2012
Uy
Blog 6
One
statement that struck me when reading Rosalie Rolon-Dow’s article regarding
critical care was regarding care and its effects in student’s successes and
failures in an academic setting. Rolon-Dow points out that, “the care or rejection experienced by Puerto
Rican students in U.S. schools can have a significant impact on their academic
success or failure.” We consistently discuss the importance of how we should
connect without students in order to create a strong learning environment;
however I feel that we never discuss the importance of caring within the
classroom. There is a distinct difference between remembering a student’s name, and asking how they’re weekend went. It seems once again that we as teachers need to do more. We need to understand that students don’t just want to
be noticed they want to be known as well. I cant help but reminisce when we were children it was
always nice be acknowledged at family parties, but we always remember those
aunts and uncles who truly cared. We hold the fondest memories of these family members
and always enjoy and respect their company. The same experience can be had with
teachers and we could have a lasting effect on our students. I know personally
I enjoyed the company of many of my teachers, but I always talk about one
teacher in particular who made that extra effort. Mrs. Kiernan my 7th
grade math teacher would come to my house and drive me to school for extra
help. Although sometimes she frustrated me, I would always do what she asked
and give her my best effort. That kind of respect can’t be earned by just greeting
our students. Establishing relationships truly means caring for our students.
If we can make that extra effort to care for our student, they’ll go the extra
mile for us.
I
feel that this concept of caring for our students is especially important to minority
students. Rolon-Dow mentions that only 52% of Latino students of the age of 25
graduated high school. We truly can only imagine the struggle of learning a
mainstream language within a classroom setting. The 48% of Latino student who didn’t
graduate likely didn’t have caring educators in their life. Learning a new
language is challenging and f demoralizing experience for many students, but
having an individual who cares about their education can make a difference. However,
such a task is hard. With a constant increase of responsibilities for teachers
and quotas that are needed to be met, it’s easy to try and push students
through without establishing relationships with them. However, if we want to do
the best we can then we have to care for our students. At the end of the day we
need to go to bed and say that we did our best. Although our best won’t always
be what our students need, at least they know that we care.
Hi Phil,
ReplyDeleteI liked how you related the concept of "care" as put forth in the Rolón-Dow article to your own experiences as a student.
While I never had a teacher go that far, I nevertheless do remember those who extended themselves within the school setting.
And, it DOES make a difference. Sometimes, the most seemingly innocuous statement can have a major influence.
Because of an 8th Grade Teacher, I always was catching up in Math. When, in 12th grade, the Math Department Head said to me, hyper-conscious within a group of Math Club students, "Maybe you should lead, Mr. Southern" as he pointed out that my answer was correct, and theirs, the Math Whiz' were wrong. I will NEVER forget that . . . ever. Me? The "always catch-up" Math kid, lead in Math?!
Although I am an English Teacher, I nevertheless still can do math pretty well BECAUSE of that teacher.
I liked, too, how you likened influence from teachers to influence by family. Especially at a certain age, we do look up to adults as role models. We, as our current students do, seek guidance . . . and acceptance.
I think, like you, "care" will be a value that I'll put (if not already) on the "front burner."
Regards,
By the way, join me @ rsouthern12@blogspot.com