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.