DAY 4 MORNING - JUNE 28, 2007

What do you do well when connecting with your students? Do you have any concerns about connecting with your students?

I try to connect with students on a personal level so that they know I genuinely am interested in their success in my class. I want students to know that I do not enjoy student failure, that I sincerely hope they not only pass my class but learn something useful in the process. I make a concerted effort to listen to students and try to adapt my classroom environment to allow every student to be successful. Obviously, there are basic concerns and behaviors that apply to all students: respect of others, making an effort, approaching work with a positive attitude. Within these guidelines, however, it is possible for me as teacher to "negotiate" learning as appropriate (within limits) to engage and motivate students. Without this, barriers to learning are thrown up, generating negative attitudes and unproductive classroom environments. Sometimes, it is as simple as connecting with the student as a human being, rather than within the teacher-student dimension.

A concern is, however, the boundary that must exist between teacher and student. Students need to relate to me as a three dimensional human being; however, I cannot be a friend to the student, nor show favoritism to certain students in class. The tension is to let students experience enough of your personality to develop a productive, respectful working rapport without students viewing you as an equal. Maintaining that professional distance - which is essential - without it appearing as cold indifference is a constant challenge.