Teaching: Connecting to Students

I came across a great article today on my Twitter feed. I wish all teachers would read it, most especially the ones who kinda suck. I mean, we could all use a great reminder about this, but daily I see, or hear of, teachers who could simply use this to get them through the day easier. Parents and other adults, too!

The article talked about taking a trip down memory lane. Focusing on the things that you remember from being in junior high, or high school, or grade school. Strangely, when I woke up in the middle of the night I started thinking about whether or not I remember all of my teachers. I do! I could name every single one from Kindergarten - 7th grade. It's at 8th grade the my memories switched more to who was in the class with me. I know I took yearbook with Brynn, but don't have a clue who the teacher was. I know I was in science with Dustin (sigh) and Michelle but I have no idea what we learned. I was in band. I only remember three or four of my high school teachers, too. And I can't help but wonder if it's because they didn't take the time to connect with me about things I thought were important. I remember the teachers who made learning fun - like Mr. Huber, who lit his arm on fire in Chem/Physics. And the one who was my coach - Mr. Constance, who had a special nickname for me (Ben-wah). And Mrs. Cummings, who challenged me and refused to let me work at less than my best. Thank God she forced those Latin roots down our throats!

My point is this: As adults, we need to be a part of children's lives in ways that were meaningful to us, because though the world has changed, kids are kids, and the things that were important to me in 7th grade are important to 7th graders today, and were important to my mom in 7th grade, and my grandma, too. I am regularly heard to be recalling stories of "when I was your age" to my students - but not in the I'm-an-old-person-let-me-tell-you-about-life-way, more like "I'm-not-an-idiot-and-I-know-your-parents-annoy-you-mine-did-too" kind of way. (LOVE YOU MOM & DAD, but let's face it, junior high was annoying for everyone in the house....probably most of high school, too, no?)

So while I think I do a pretty good job of what this article is recommending, I'm going to work it all out the way the author suggests. She says to consider your responses, at a given age - I pick 7th grade because that's what I'm around most, and remember. Truly remember what it felt like, and use that to connect to kids.

1. Did you have a nickname?
No, not until high school - Gus by my friends, Benwah by my softball coach.



2. What were the names of your 5 closest friends? Did you even have friends? Yes, I was quite social. My BFF was Erin. I was also very close to Amanda & Jenny. Barbie, Lindsey & Michelle, Angie, and Brandi. Zach, Dustin, Max, Casey, Mike...it was a million times easier to be friends with boys because they weren't overly dramatic and girly.


3. How did you choose to spend your lunch or recess?
Outside at the blue picnic tables, mostly sitting around and gabbing.


4. What music were you listening to?
Garth Brooks, Pearl Jam, Simon & Garfunkel, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Bon Jovi


5. Did you play a sport? Softball


6. Were you involved in an after-school activity? No


7. At what age did you see alcohol or drugs for the first time? 13


8. What was the name of the person or persons that you liked more than as a friend?
Preston <3


9. What did you gossip about? Slutty/bitchy girls, hot boys


10. Had you ever passed notes in class?
We mostly passed them in the hall to friend who weren't in our clases.


11. Did you have a favorite teacher? What was his or her name? Why was that person your favorite?
Mr. Waltuch, because I LOVED the history stuff he taught us.
Mr. Yoes, because he was kind and funny.


12. Were you in a clique? If I was, it was enormous.


13. Were you a bully? A protector? A victim? A bystander? 
Sadly, I was probably a bystander.


14. How did you get to school?  Begged for a ride, or walked.


15. What movies came out during that year? Wayne's World


16. Do you still own anything that you made at school during this particular grade?
If I do it's in a box in the attic and I can't recall. Lots of pictures though!


17. Do you still have any friends that you’ve had since that year?
Yes, thanks to Facebook, I'm still in touch with many of them. Two were in my wedding!


18. Did you have a favorite expression during this time? I don't think so.


19. Did you ever do something during those years that makes you wince?
See #13 :(


20. Is there a direct line between who you were then and who you are now, or are there only faint traces of that student in the person you’ve become? Yes, I often feel like the same girl, but much more stable.