Genre Reflection 1
Learning and using people’s names go a long way toward making those people comfortable with you. I have worked in several businesses where I saw certain people on a fairly regular basis. Eventually, I begin to recognize people and call them by name both at work and in the community. Every time, I have seen on the person’s face the pleasure he feels that I have taken the time and effort to learn his name and use it.
Likewise, learning students’ names in a classroom creates an atmosphere entirely separate from the first meeting. As I have learned the students’ names, they have also learned mine. I have noticed many students calling teachers, administrators, and other adults simply “Miss” or “Mister.” However, I have been known since the second day in my Pre-Student placement as “Mrs. Spangler.” When calling on students to answer a question or passing back homework, I make eye contact with each student and call him or her by name. As I have learned to do this, I have noticed the students also, when needing help, calling me by my name.
Respect is something I believe can be earned very simply through taking the time to learn students’ names and use them.
Mrs. Spangler,
ReplyDeleteI love the idea you are expressing here! I also feel that it is very important to know and use every student's name! Not only is it an element of respect towards them, but it also shows that you care for them. Some students desperately search for someone like that, and it is nice to know that as a teacher you can be that person. To take things a step further, you can gain insight and more respect from your students by learning about some of their personal interests as well. I love the idea of knowing who your students are inside and out of the classroom, it does create an atmosphere of respect. I also like how you started the reflection by talking about your peronsal experience outside the world of teaching, in respect to knowing who people are. It's a reminder that most of the ways we gain respect with fellow adults can work with students too (after all we are all humans)!
Thanks for sharing your reflection,
Ms. Hollas
Jenna,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. Learning names is something I struggle with all the time, it's never been something I have a knack for. However, as you mentioned here, as a teacher it is important to learn the names of your students and try to use them as much as possible. It helps form that personal connection that could be otherwise lacking. I was called "Mr. Teacher" the other day and it almost shocked me, since my name I thought was rather well known to all the students by that point. I think you're completely right about the respect issue, which is why I made it a point to let the student know that I remember his name every day and use it. I haven't been Mr. Teacher again so far, haha. It's really inspirational to read someone who is making such a firm connection with their class and getting along so well. You're going to be an excellent teacher.