Get to know the children in your care

For many of us, this month is crucial as teachers and students heading back to school.  In preparation, I will spend this month sharing things that will support the different stakeholders in the education system.
Today I will start with the students, my “tip of the week” is as follows:
“Get to know the children in your care”
This is one of the top 10 things students want most people, not just teachers, to know.
They go like this:
10 things Teenagers want you as a teacher or parent to know

1. Students want you to spend time getting to know them
2. Students want to have a voice in the learning process and want to share “their” way of doing things
3. Students want to be treated with respect and dignity
4. Students want to be appropriately challenged with meaningful and relevant learning experiences
5. Students want teachers and parents to know they too have bad or off days
6. Students want their interests and passions to be infused into learning that occurs in the classroom and at home
7. Students want teachers and parents to be truthful and honest
8. Students want to be partners with you in the learning process
9. Students want to know the work they are doing and the time they are committing to school will make a difference in the world
10. Students want to know their existence matters and that they are important

How many of these can you practice, or prepare to practice, this week.
Remember:
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be ignited.” – Plutarch
Please let me know what you come up with, it would be great to hear some of your thoughts on how you can make adjustments in this area.
Please, please share this with any other teachers and parents you feel may benefit from the article.
Have a great week, looking after our country’s future workers and leaders.