Teaching is a Work of Love
- Aug 27, 2018
- 2 min read
Lead with love. From education articles to speakers at educational conferences I’ve attended, I’ve encountered this phrase repeatedly over the last few years. Although it seems like a no brainer, I recognize how I’ve evolved as a classroom teacher by showing my students unconditional love --- even on the days I’m most exhausted and drained.
I remember my first year in the classroom feeling frustrated by students’ disruptive behavior or not doing their best. This led to one-on-one conversations and parent-student-teacher meetings to voice what I wanted from the student in class. I wanted them to be excited about science, creating objects of their own imagination and to simply be nice to others. Quickly I began to experience something unexpected in these meetings. Some students were numb and cynical to because they’ve had them so many times before, and this was one more conversation where they were being talked to and not listened to. When I shared my journey and where my expectations came from, I found common hopes, fears and dreams with my students. I began to change my approach by asking more questions and listening more, I really began to learn from my students and their families what they needed to be learners at that moment. Often times all they needed was to be listened to.
As I start a new school year, I intend to lead with love. As I write my students’ names on name tags I wonder if I have the honor of working with a sibling of a former student when a last name looks familiar. I look at their Powerschool picture from the beginning of 10th grade and wonder who they were then. I can honestly feel a rush of dopamine through my brain at the thought of being able to meet and get to know 44 new students and their families -- one of my physiological responses that proves I’m an extrovert.
Teaching 11th grade has always been a rewarding experience. Students are beginning to see their passions shape into a future, discovering what they do and don’t have control over, and an insatiable yearning to experience adult-world responsibilities. It truly is an honor to be here for them and facilitate a year of new experiences. I hope the projects and day-to-day activities I co-design with my teaching partner stay true to my vision as a teacher at High Tech High Chula Vista.
I believe all students can achieve self-discovery through biology by taking ownership in their personal growth and well-being.
I believe all students can succeed--in and out of HTHCV--when they are given the tools to leverage resources and develop expertise in self-advocacy.
I believe all students can learn how to best insert themselves into new environments when given multiple opportunities to collaborate in building commUNITY.
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