“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.”
-Galatians 6:4 MSG
I always enjoy supporting and volunteering at our local Special Olympics Spring Games. It is a blast and I am able to see some of my former students and see them compete with other athletes across the state. I also ran into a big box home and garden store and saw one of my students in the store. These are great reminders for me that I need to try to get out more and see my students in their element and doing something they enjoy, which for a lot of them is something outside of the classroom.
Teaching is More Than Curriculum
Teaching is more than just showing up every day at school and delivering the curriculum. Encourage and support your students in the activities they participate in outside of the classroom. Go to activities your students are in. This is another way to get to know your students outside of the classroom. Throughout the year, try to make it to a few of these events. This helps to continue building the relationship with your student and also encourages them to pursue activities that they enjoy! It’s always fun to talk with the students the next day about how well they did in their concerts, plays, or sporting events!
Get In the Game!
I know a few teachers who coach sports or did activities such as Girls on the Run which is a great activity that includes training and culminates with a 5k run/walk with all of the schools coming together for this big event. Events such as these are a great way to show your support for students who have sometimes been training for months for their event. Some students may participate in Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts and may have added events such as the Pinewood Derby, etc. that they are really excited about and would love for you to attend.
Make a Lasting Impact
Your students will remember all year that you came to their events, and it will make a lasting impact on their lives. To this day, I remembered former teachers that came to my events growing up. I know it is hard to get out and see other students’ games, let alone your own kid’s activities after school. Hopefully from now until the end of the school year, you are able to slow down and take in a concert, play, a ball game, or a match of some of your students in your class. Enjoy the time you have left with them because you only have them for a little while longer!
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This article was fascinating to read. The way you portrayed teaching to students with a different approach seems to be justified. Thank you for sharing this blog with us. It was worth reading and a mind-blowing article. I am looking forward to read more such blogs in the future.