At this time of year, you will evaluate your students' status and progress. You may encounter students less engaged and involved than you'd like them to be. It is not necessarily a reflection of your teaching, but everything to do with a student's willingness and ability to learn.
Why are students disengaged?
As midterms approach and schedules fill up with activities, it isn't unusual for students to have difficulty keeping on task. As a teacher, how do you get them onboard and excited? You want them to succeed and enjoy it! If your class is too large and partially unmanageable and disrespectful behavior is rising, how do you halt that progress?
The 4 Agreements
Open your schedule to introduce the 4 Agreements to your class. Challenge your students to self-regulate, and commit to becoming people of integrity through these practices. The 4 Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz, in a modified version, explain how to accomplish this goal.
Be Impeccable (trustworthy) with Your Words
Don’t Take Anything Personally
Don’t Make Assumptions
Always Do Your Best
Use this poster strategically and post it where it is easily viewed as a reminder throughout the year!
Communicating with disengaged students
As the adviser, you want your students to succeed. Therefore, you must adapt your methods to communicate in frequencies they will hear and respond to. You are THE role model. Get to know your students, model respectful behavior and attitudes, use encouraging language, and challenge your students to be more! Tell them what you see in them by exercising trust in their abilities and decision-making. When a student (or students) is not connecting, try these steps:
Take a moment! Breathe deeply a few times and gain calmness before approaching the student(s).
State what you observe: I see you are distracted. How can I help you? Are you having difficulty with a particular area?
Make simple statements: I understand how you feel overwhelmed. I get it. Let's figure this out together. Give a few clear instructions to get them on track.
Provide a choice: Would you like to "develop captions" or "complete the 3-page spread layout design." We need your competency. I appreciate your work.
Your interaction with the student is key. Being calm, and friendly but firm in your communication may still produce an aggressive reaction. If this takes place, do not engage in a verbal struggle. Give the student an immediate pass to the office counselor or nurse. Keep neutral in your reaction, no matter how difficult that may be.
An expert in education administration expressed, “Some schools have more damaged kids and some have less damaged kids. Both sets deserve great teachers. If you accept a job working with our most damaged youth then you have to remember that your job is to teach them how to improve their lives first and your subject second.” A student must feel that you care about them above the "work" and that you can be trusted. Teaching and learning can occur successfully when this takes root.
We desire to support you as you connect with your struggling students, and we are available throughout the year. Subscribe to our blog, podcast, and newsletter. Visit our website at www.unitedyearbook.net, or schedule a one-on-one consultation with our representatives.
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Editor: Donna Ladner obtained a B.A. in Education and a minor in English from California Baptist University, and a M.S. in ESL from USC, Los Angeles. After she married Daniel, their family moved to Indonesia with a non-profit organization and lived cross-culturally for 15 years before returning to the U.S in 2012. Donna has been working as an editor and proofreader for TSE Worldwide Press and its subsidiary, United Yearbook since 2015.
Contributor: Lucy McHugh comes to United Yearbook Printing from a 39-year career in public and private school education. She was a former visual art teacher and yearbook adviser. She received a Bachelors of Science in Art from Columbia College in Columbia, SC, a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nebraska in 2000, and in 2014 earned a Certificate in Catholic School Leadership from Loyola Marymount University. Lucy enjoys her family, making art and gardening.
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