Creating a Classroom Culture For Learning: Being Human Part 1

Scene 1, Part 1 Mr Mark “Be warned, there is the potential threat of ridicule, embarrassment and resentment.  But the risk might just be worth it.”   Teacher (hesitantly) “What  do I need to do?” Mr Mark “Show that you’re human”.

As a matter of interest I recently asked my new grade 7 class of 20 students to brainstorm the word teacher.  The following comments were provided: Learning; Education; Class; Homework; Bossy; Fun; Difficult; Control; Help.  Just before I was about to launch my soap box tirade that we are much more than this, one student stated Human Being.  In response to this, I asked how many other students had thought of something similar; 19 students replied in the negative.  Whilst this is clearly not a statistically representative of the world’s student population or even the school population in which I now teach, it does add weight to my theory that perhaps in order to create a culture for learning the very concept of what it means to be a teacher (in the eyes of students) needs challenging, and in order to do this we need to show we are human.

It isn't difficult to deduce from some of our experiences that students sometimes perceive us as a walking textbook, or an extension of the bricks and mortar they call a school, or even as a weapon of mass destruction.  But how many of them see us as human beings. How many of our students feel they can relate to us? Someone they can form a relationship with who they recognise is intent on helping them acquire the knowledge and skills required to have the opportunity to do want they want in life.  And as such, trust us with their future. According to Didau (2015: 344) "Trust is a better predictor of teacher success than expertise. A teacher may know their subject inside out, but if their pupils don't trust them they won't feel very motivated"  It is therefore imperative that building strong relationships with students is at the core of creating a culture for learning in the classroom.  

David Didau offers some approaches that should be the basic expectation for all teachers as part of the process for building relationships:  know their names, tell them they are your favourite class, know the data, talk to parents, mark their books.  But this advice promotes a one way relationship. You know them, but do they know you.  

I am now embarking on my fourth school experience (over 15 years) as a teacher, my second as a senior leader, and my first overseas experience in an IB school. The recommendations that I advocate promote a two way relationship with students. Recommendations I have been employing over the past four months in my new school environment.  So that maybe, just maybe, my students will trust me with their future, and see me as a human being.

i) Don't Just Attend - Take Part

ASKER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HALLOWEEN PARTY 2015

ASKER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ANTI BULLYING DANCE 2015

Teachers along back row 

Whether it is the School Disco, Halloween Party, School Prom, World Book Day, Christmas Jumper Day get involved. Don’t slink off to a corner somewhere, make an effort.  Students will appreciate that you danced rather than comment on how bad your dancing is. When you wear fancy dress for World Book Day, students will laugh (at you maybe) but this is often followed by a sincere smile and ‘I like it sir’. Be a risk-taker and let the students see you in a different context.

ii) Organise and attend residential trips

Become an overnight success that has been months or even years in the making:

• You are the one who checks up on them in the evening.
• You are the one who smiles and says good morning.
• You are the one they turn to for help when attempting an activity but are scared.
• You are the one who checks they have eaten. 
• You are the one who they decided to talk to about things that bug them because they want their voice heard by an adult.
• You are the one to motivate them when they are struggling on the hike.
• You are the one they know stayed awake all night to keep them safe as they were sneaking around.
• You are the one who took a chance and took them on their first trip outside of the city.
• You are the one who organised their first sleep over.
• You are the one who allowed them to see the seaside for the first time.
• You are the one who organised their first sit down meal with friends outside of school.
• You are the one who made a great few days happen.

Be that someone.  Show them you are human.

iii) Accept that you are sometimes wrong

Making mistakes is important in creating a culture for learning.  Remember to model this.

Part 2 coming soon...