Friends

I know it’s been a while since my last post but that’s okay, I’m writing now! I've been working long days and although the paycheck will be nice I’m exhausted at the end of the day. All I can do is go on a walk with Cleo, get a shower, curl into bed and watch me some Parks and Recreation. I love that show. Just mentioning it makes me smile!

Also recently I've started writing a novel; it’s fun and interesting since this is the first one I've actually decided to stick with writing. The ideas keep flowing and I am enjoying it whole-heartedly!

Also the reason that I have been a slacker (McFly!) is because I haven’t had any new material to mull over and think about. My TCE class ended for winter term and now we’re on Spring Break. This means I have another week until I will be working with some new information and also a new professor. I’m excited though because a new professor means a new outlook or perspective and also new information to work with. It shall be interesting.

I’m going to jump right into what I want to talk about. I want to talk about forming relationships with your students. The reason I want to talk about this is because it’s important to remember that as educators we are NOT student’s friends. We can be friendly, but ultimately they are placed in our hands for a portion of the day. In that day we are required to teach them, take care of their needs, and protect them. We are not there to be seen as cool and we ARE there to give them every opportunity to succeed. In saying this, we need to remember that forming relationships with your students is VERY IMPORTANT! But forming friendships where they see you as an equal is not. The moment that they see you as an equal, all the respect you have been working to earn and the entire group of rules that you have set in place go right out the door. Or flushed down the toilet. You choose! Either way the point is, the moment they think they can be friends they will take that advantage and lose all that we build our classroom upon. Its bad news bears.

I know this may seem like common sense but when we are in the classroom setting, we want our students to like us! It’s hard not to get caught up in trying to be their friends. But those rules are put there for a reason and we need to stick by them. We are essentially their guardians for eight hours a day. Do you think their responsible parents want to see their child’s teacher trying to be their friend not their educator? No. SO lesson here is don’t try to be a friend, be a teacher.

And as always, the continuation of learning is important!

Signing off,

Carly!