Gail Boushey
The first priority in the classroom, even over learning, should be the teacher student relationship. This relationship far outweighs any other technique created by educators to further a student’s academic achievement.
—Heather T. Forbes, Help for Billy
The relationship and community we build with students—how to be kind, how to listen, how to speak respectfully—increases academic learning and positively influences relationships. The effects can last far beyond the 180 days we spend together. I recently rediscovered this truth upon reconnecting with Dorothy.
Dorothy and I grew up together and were schoolmates throughout our education. Friendship was built through joint classes, similar interests, and small-town life. I hadn’t seen her for 20 years, but when she saw on Facebook that I was at the Pennsylvania Reading Conference, she sent me a private message asking if we could get together and catch up. Since I was leaving the next morning, the only option was to have her pick me up from my hotel at 5:00 a.m. and take me to the airport. She readily agreed to do so.
We were together in the car for one hour. We filled the 60 minutes with talking, listening, and laughing as fast as we could. We teared up a few times, relishing being near enough to see each smile line, dimple, and hand gesture that we had grown to know well so many years ago. After one long-lasting hug, I raced to catch my flight.
Upon landing, I was greeted with this message:
Thanks for such a dynamic start to what have might otherwise been a regular day. How cool is it that we can so easily discuss life’s twists and turns, find so much in common even after decades (yikes) have passed, and both be so connected to similar passions like reading and kids and shepherding the growth of colleagues and introvert/extrovert combinations and family dynamics . . . Imagine the ground we could have covered in two hours!
Makes me smile and pause, wonder and ponder about how significantly our earlier life experiences and environments impact us. Dorothy
As teachers, we build strong relationships with our students, and all the while students are learning to build relationships with each other. The community we weave together, thread by thread, has the potential to stay together for a lifetime, if by chance they run into each other again.
News from The Daily CAFE
Daily 5 . . .
I PICK Helps Students Choose Good-Fit Books *
The beauty of the I-PICK method is that students can find a good-fit book wherever they are without being shackled to a colored dot or number.
Classroom Design. . .
Locations for Small Group Instruction and One-on-One Conferring*
Check out these photos for optimum places to meet with students.
Community Connections . . .
Classroom Volunteers—A Gold Mine of Support
We appreciate and value our classroom volunteers and rely on them for a vast number of things.
Focus on Health . . .
Looking In
Carol encourages us to be still and look within.