Read on Twitter
Since asking my students what they miss most&least about school I have done a LOT of self reflection. Some questions I’ve been sitting with:
-how have I upheld harmful systems?
-which kids have felt ignored /overlooked in my classes?
-which personalities do I cater to the most?
-how have I upheld harmful systems?
-which kids have felt ignored /overlooked in my classes?
-which personalities do I cater to the most?
-in what ways have I made students feel as if they were not protected?
-how does the environment i create in my classes negatively impact some kids?
-do I design activities and assignments for ALL kids? which skills and strengths and needs do I prioritize? Which do I not?
-how does the environment i create in my classes negatively impact some kids?
-do I design activities and assignments for ALL kids? which skills and strengths and needs do I prioritize? Which do I not?
My students gave me a valuable gift. They might never know how valuable. When some of them said they don’t miss seeing teachers, I had to sit with the truth that we ALL have had kids in our classes who felt they weren’t served by us. And if that’s their perception,they’re right.
I would suggest, even if you don’t ask your students this question specifically, to ask yourself the questions my students inspired me to ask myself. And answer them HONESTLY. It’s uncomfortable and humbling. But my students opened a door for me to *really* reflect&improve.
I did not like some of the answers I gave to these questions and the weaknesses they revealed in me as a teacher. But the year away from “normal school” has given the kids AND US the clarity and perspective to see what can and should be different in ourselves& our practice.
