On the Teacher-Student Bond
1/16/2021
Being a teacher at PNA means I have the privilege to fully invest myself into my 16 students. We have developed an incredibly strong relationship in the five months we’ve been together. We know things about each other; I know their academic strengths and areas for growth, but I know much more than that. I know where and how they learn best, what makes them tick, and what makes them laugh. I know the kids who doodle while thinking, or perhaps prefer to have something in their hands. I know what my students are looking forward to and what causes them stress. I know their pets’ names and their weekend traditions. I learn new things about them every day and the combination of all these facts help me see them fully—why they do the things they do and who they are becoming. When I first started teaching someone told me, “Don’t let them see you smile until Christmas.” Meaning teachers need to be tough and can’t open up too much or the kids won’t see us as superior. I’m relieved I did not follow that advice. I allow my students to see “me” right away. I share things with them that humanize me and hopefully make me feel like their ally or mentor or someone they can relate to and trust. Yes, I’m their teacher and the leader of our classroom but I’m also a person with my own strengths, areas for growth, and experiences that have made me who I am today. My Peace Corps service changed my life and shaped my perspective. The 27 months I taught in a rural Tanzanian village influences my current teaching every day. Being able to share what Tanzania taught me with my students has been the best part about teaching in the US. I am able to transport American students to a tiny Tanzanian village they probably never would have known existed. Through pictures, videos, and stories, we fetch water, we cook, we speak Swahili, we play, we work, we increase our awareness about another culture, and we learn just how big the world really is. In addition to our class discussions, our PNA students wrote letters to Tanzanian students and asked insightful questions and explained a bit about their lives here in Alaska. This cross-cultural, international learning exchange is invaluable. Teaching “world regions and cultures” is important curriculum in every classroom. I feel exceptionally lucky to be able to offer first-hand experiences instead of simply reading from a textbook. As we focused on East Africa, my students curiosity was piqued and they asked endless, inquisitive questions. They were open-minded with my answers and empathetic toward my challenges. My Peace Corps service made me cry more than I ever had and it brought me more joy than I’d ever known. I met some of my best friends and the love of my life. I have a flag on the wall of my classroom, alongside a photo of a roaring lion that I took. Peace Corps provided daily challenges that amounted to me becoming a much stronger, independent, compassionate person. By sharing all this with my current students, I try to model our PNA values of independent thinking, having the courage to try new things, and the integrity and vision to do good in the world. As I shared my experiences, my students learn why I am the way that I am and why we do some of the activities we do in our classroom. We do word puzzles and think about language so intensely because of how complex I learned English really is. We play games and value laughter because Tanzanian students taught me how much better students learn when they’re having fun. I don’t make jokes about teachers hitting students and I get frustrated when students waste resources without thinking, and now they understand why. I’m proud when my students ask about things bigger than themselves and are curious about the billions of other people on the planet. PNA allows me the discretion to take the time to answer a hundred of my students’ questions instead of saying, “We don’t have time. We need to move on to the next chapter.” I hope years from now, if one of my students hears Tanzania in the news or it comes up in conversation, they are transported back to 5th and 6th grade and I hope they smile, remembering all they learned.
Comments are closed.
|
Elizabeth FerryMs. Ferry's experiences include teaching with the Peace Corps in Tanzania, teaching high school English in Maine, and this is her second year at PNA. She loves moose, outdoor activities, and being with her students. Archives
April 2021
Categories |