Using the Rules of Engagement to Inform Better Teaching

Every successful teacher knows the importance of creating a unique and special bond with each and every student they teach. In order to aid in the developing of these relationships, teachers should utilize the seven "Engagement Factors" in order to fully understand how to connect with students, particularly those who are struggling or who come from underprivileged areas. These seven factors include: health and nutrition, vocabulary, effort and energy, mindset, cognitive capacity, relationships, and stress level. By understanding how these seven categories impact a young child, I can come closer to fulfilling my potential as a highly effective teacher and mentor. 

There are many ways in which I will incorporate the seven engagement factors into my personal classroom in order to build meaningful relationships with my students. The first factor listed is health and nutrition. This is a major factor! There are certain students that will have physical ailments that I will have to take into consideration. For example, if a student suffers from a particular disorder such as dyslexia, I will have to cater to his/her needs in terms of every day teaching as well as assessments that are fair and true. 

Another factor that I think is supremely important is mindset. There are so many different ways in which students can view the world, and those views can have major impacts on the students' academic and social growth. I will definitely do my best to demonstrate and model a positive outlook and mindset. If students are surrounded by nothing but negative attitude and behavior, it will eventually rub off. For students in low-income areas, a teacher may be the only positive role model they have. I will do everything in my power to make sure that I do not take that for granted. It can be so easy to have a negative tone or demeanor when times are rough, but I will constantly remind myself that the students are always watching. They are always looking at the teacher and thinking about what they are doing- and why! I will be a positive role model for all students, and especially for those that do not have one anywhere else. 


As I think about some of my own experiences as a young student, there is another engagement factor that definitely plays an important role in overall growth and development. Stress, when overpowering, can destroy a person. However, small amounts of stress are useful in keeping a person aware of their surroundings and/or relation to personal goals. I know from personal experience that some teachers are not great at limiting stress levels in the classroom. One of the most important aspects of my personal classroom will be maintaining a calm environment in the classroom, even for those students that tend to get rowdy at times. There are very few people that love the feeling of a lot of pressure, especially at such a young age. We are supposed to be guiding these children into the future, not forcing them to obey our every demand. I am a firm believer in the saying, "kids will be kids." Young children should not go to sleep at night wondering how mad their teacher will be if they perform poorly on a test or assignment. I, myself, hate the feeling of being stressed, so why would I impose that feeling on a classroom full of children?! By maintaining a calm, relaxing classroom, everybody will have a great opportunity to succeed. 

Overall, there are many factors to consider in terms of building healthy, quality relationships with students. As a teacher, it is my job to lead my students towards greatness. There will definitely be hardships along the way, but as long as I remember how important of a role model I can be for many different students, I will do everything in my power to make those students feel safe, confident, and successful. 

Finding Forrester

After viewing the movie, Finding Forrester, I can say that it is definitely one of the most impactful films that I've ever seen. This movie is important on so many levels, especially for a future educator such as myself. This film should absolutely be viewed by anybody that is considering pursuing a career in teaching. This story can teach so many lessons in equality, persistence, and giving every single student a chance to succeed.

It is truly frightening to witness that amount of teachers that are so quick to simply give up on certain students based on external factors. It is the responsibility for every teacher to give each and every student the best possible opportunity to succeed. In this story, William Forrester is able to serve as a mentor and role model for Jamal Wallace. Jamal is an incredible basketball player and perhaps an even better writer. However, due to societal implications, he is reluctant to fully express himself. In this scenario, some teachers would be quick to assume that Jamal was just a typical athlete that was lazy in terms of academics and did not want to apply himself.  This story shows just how important it is to make meaningful connections with all students! Students like Jamal need to be shown that there is no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed about learning.  Forrester was able to form a strong bond with Jamal and really bring out the best in him. This is what every teacher should be doing!

As I think about this story in relation to my own teaching experiences, I have absolutely encountered similar scenarios. I currently have a student that is known as the "class clown." He is always making other students laugh, and that usually means acting inappropriately in class. He is hands-down one of the most gifted students in the class, but is typically hesitant to express his knowledge. He has actually told me that he doesn't finish his work because he is too busy "entertaining" the other students... and this is a kindergarten class! If teachers continue to write this student off as lazy and unable to perform, he will be sick of school by the time he reaches middle school! This is truly one of the most tragic scenarios that I can imagine. I make sure to continually express my support for this student. I make sure to tell him that he is smart, capable, and fully able to complete his work as well as have fun with his classmates at the same time, as long as he is not be disruptive. Students should not be ashamed of succeeding! Especially once students reach an older age, performing at a high level can be viewed as "uncool." It is the responsibility of the teacher to dismiss this idea. Each and every student needs to be aware of the possibilities whenever they work hard in order to accomplish a goal.

I loved the message that this story was able to convey. Academics can be intimidating or scary for many students. This does not give teachers the right to neglect these students if they are not immediately performing at a high level. Teachers are responsible for bringing out the best in every single student, regardless of situation!

Girl Rising

After viewing the movie, Girl Rising, I was honestly speechless. I was aware of the subject area before viewing the film, but I had no idea the magnitude would be so great. As each story was told, I started to feel more and more helpless as I realized all of the unspeakable things that are going on in the world at this very moment. I sat there and thought how ridiculous it is that we complain about the tiniest of details every single day when there are people going through such immense troubles just to survive. The movie really did an amazing job of capturing the unspeakable events that are happening to women all around the world each and every day.


As I reflected on the movie, however, I decided that it was silly to feel helpless. Despite the fact that there are countless women being mistreated in the most unspeakable ways, I am not helpless. I can make a difference in the lives of the 17 students that walk into my classroom each and every day. More specifically, I can be a positive male figure for my 9 female students that may not have any males to look up to.  I believe that this movie truly shaped the way I will think about all of my students from this point forward.

I want to discuss 2 of my students that I thought of throughout the playing of this movie. The first student is a little girl that absolutely loves learning. She reminds me a lot of Wadley from the film. I know that she does not come from a very financially fortunate family, but you would never know it by speaking to her. She is such a positive person and loves everything about learning. Not to mention, English is her 2nd language. I believe that from a very young age she was taught the importance of education. She knew that in order to make a good life for herself, she needed to take her education seriously. As I speak with her, she is so much more culturally and socially aware than any other 5 year-old I've ever met. She realizes the importance of a good work-ethic and is not afraid to fail. For her, education does not simply mean waking up and going to school every day. It means making a life for herself, and that is a value that can not be replaced.

The other student that I thought of during the film is a girl that has an absolutely awful at-home life. Obviously it is not to the degree of the girls highlighted in the film, but I can't help but feel so terrible when I watch her smile diminish a little bit each day when the bell rings to go home. The school has stepped in to provide a lot of support where there used to be none, but her home-life is still very rough. This girl is definitely a fighter, though (in the positive form of the word). She is not going to let her home-life change the way she works. She needs an immense amount of attention while at school, which is understandable, given the details of her home-life. However, aside from occasionally talking a little bit too much, she never causes any trouble and truly loves to learn.

When I reflect on the movie as a whole, it is interesting to make certain connections from that inhumane lifestyle to our seemingly perfect life. It is important to be aware of what is going on the world but also remember that as much as it may seem, we are not helpless. We have a voice and can be the positive change for at least one person.

Diversity Post #1

Being "poor" is defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as having an income less than that deemed sufficient to purchase basic needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, and other essentials. According to Eric Jensen, there are six categories of poverty, such as situational, generational, absolute, relative, urban, and rural. With the exception of absolute poverty, which is defined as the scarcity of such necessities as shelter, running water, and food, the students/families in my school suffer from all forms of poverty (Jensen, 2009). It is extremely difficult to witness these daily struggles and feel so helpless. Students should be looking forward to school, because it is a safe place where they can learn and be supported in everything they do. Although teachers are not able to "fix" most of the terrifying effects of poverty, they are able to provide a positive environment that encourages hard work and honesty. 

It is obvious that it is up to teachers to provide students with the most effective learning environment possible.  In addition, however, teachers should also be providing students with the most efficient opportunity for overall human growth. For example, if a teacher is simply giving assignments and grading tests, they are not fulfilling their duties. If students are viewing the classroom as a place solely for papers and tests, they will not be encouraged to work hard in and out of the classroom. Teachers need to take a sincere interest in each student's life. Rather than a classroom feeling like a cold box for assessment, it should feel like a safe place to grow, while learning at the same time. Students need to feel like they are cared for, because often times teachers are the only support system they have. If a teacher is genuine, sincere, and actually gets to know students on a personal level, it will provide that student with a spark and an interest in learning. Now, this is clearly a lot easier said than done, and it takes a lot of time and effort to break down some of those walls, but it is absolutely essential in areas of poverty. 

One of the biggest hardships for any teachers, but specifically those at my school, includes dealing with managing behavior. Poor behavior isn't a direct form of poverty, but it is certainly a result of poor guidance and home environment. It is extremely common for teachers to quickly write-off a student by saying "this kid is trouble" or "he doesn't care about school."  In addition, teachers will usually talk to the other teachers above and below grade level to discuss certain "problem children". This is one of the most heart-breaking occurrences in the schooling system. In areas of poverty, it is very common for students to experience some form of emotional and/or social challenges. By teachers sticking these students in the back corner of the room and yelling at every chance they get, they are digging that student into a deeper and deeper hole every day. In order to grow up emotionally healthy, children under the age of 3 should receive the following: 

• A strong, reliable primary caregiver who provides consistent and unconditional love, guidance, and support
• Safe, predictable, stable environments.
• Ten to 20 hours each week of harmonious, reciprocal interactions.
• Enrichment through personalized, increasingly complex activities (Gunnar, Frenn, Wewerka, & Van Ryzin, 2009). 

In areas of poverty, these factors are not always implemented. By reviewing student cumulative folders, it is evident that students with 1 or more parents in jail, several divorces, arrests, etc. are likely to contain some form of behavior or academic performance difficulties. These are the students that require the most loving care in order to stay (or get) on track. Being "at-risk" is certainly something to look out for. Teachers are responsible for knowing children well enough to recognize warning signs for at-risk students. Genuine relationships are crucial in order to gain as much information as possible (Leroy & Symes, 2001). As teachers, it is crucial to implement plans that promote quality work. For example, if it is clear that a student does not have a great support system at home, don't send out homework for that student, at least not at first! It's not going to get completed, and then the student will end up feeling ashamed and/or embarrassed. Work with the student as much as possible during school hours so that he/she realizes the true potential of hard work. In addition, provide opportunities for students to choose their own topics within reason. If a student is really struggling and doesn't enjoy school, what is the point of making him/her read a story that has absolutely no connection to his/her life? Allow the students to pick a book and/or research topic that will get them thinking. This is a way to promote learning and work ethic without forcing the issue (Jensen, 2009). 

Teachers are not simply educators of the curriculum, rather educators of life as a whole. By taking the time to learn about each and every student on a personal, individual level, great things can be accomplished. A school is a judgment-free zone, and that includes judgment from teachers. Each and every student should walk into a classroom with a clean slate, ready to make progress as a student as well as a contributing member to society. 




Works Cited

CityYear Los Angeles (2010, May 27). Making A Difference In High-Poverty Schools. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdDTk5WQzm0

Dueck, M. (2012, July 20). Poverty and the Grading of Homework. http://myrondueck.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/poverty-and-the-grading-of-homework/

Jensen, E. (2009). Teaching With Poverty In Mind. 

Leroy, C, Symes, B. (2001). The Effects of Poverty on Teaching and Learning. http://www.teach-nology.com/tutorials/teaching/poverty/

O'Brien, N. (2011, September 2). Why are poor white boys doing so badly at school? It's about culture, and we've got to change it. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/neilobrien1/100102225/why-are-poor-white-boys-doing-so-badly-at-school-its-about-culture-and-weve-got-to-change-it/