Authenticity

Being an authentic and genuine person is quite possibly one of the most difficult traits to have. Authenticity is very important in all walks of life and therefore applies to every aspect of teaching. I think it is important to be authentic in a way that does not offend others, but that also does not coddle them. It is okay to have your own opinions, but opinions should not affect the way you teach your material. It is wrong to be completely blunt and negative all of the time, just as much as it is to be unrealistically positive all of the time. Students can tell if a teacher is authentic or not by simply observing them. I had a few teachers in high school that were very obviously not always concerned about what was best for the student. There were also a few teachers who treated certain students with a great deal of respect while others were not treated as such. For example, teachers would occasionally be more "chill" with certain students than with others aka letting homework come in late, excusing students from a tardy, helping more on assignments, etc. In the defense of the teachers, however, most students that got that room to "mess up" were the students who ALWAYS did what the teacher asked of them. They were the "good kids." I'm intrigued to find ways in which more of a balance can be brought to the relationships between the teachers and the students. I know it is not plausible for every student to love every teacher and vice versa, but it IS possible to have a certain level of respect and authenticity between every person in the classroom. If a teacher is fake or not genuine, students lose respect for them. That is simply what happens. That loss of respect then results in rebellious behavior and unruly classrooms. This is why is SO crucial to be "real" all of the time and to do it in a way that does not show dislike or favoritism. How to learn that, is most definitely a life-long lesson.

Compassion

Compassion has been an incredible part of my experiences with teachers. Without the compassion of one of my teachers in particular, I would not have made it through freshmen and sophomore year of high school. When I was in 7th grade, my dad was diagnosed with brain cancer. He had 3 surgeries within 2 years and the 3rd one left him paralyzed on his left side. This occurred in November of my first year of high school. Going home after school became a very bittersweet situation and so often times I would stay in my history teacher's room until she went home for the day. Her name was Mrs. Glynn and she became a tremendous source of comfort, sanctuary, and especially, compassion. Mrs. Glynn ALWAYS made time for me. She saw me through an abundance of tears, times of intense sadness, and moments of despair. She was a rock as a teacher as well as an adult that I could go to besides my family members. After my dad passed away, this relationship with Mrs. Glynn became even stronger. She came to my dad's wake. She came to his funeral. She checked in on me often and allowed me to always say (or express in other ways) what I was feeling. I am being truly honest when I say that I could not have made it through those two years without her. She changed my life in numerous ways and gave me a new sense of hope whenever she was around. I hope to one day pay that gift of compassion forward to a student who will need it as much as I did then.

Respect

Respect has many different meanings. It is a word that is often tossed around and explained in numerous ways. To me, respect means recognizing and excepting differences in people, whether or not you agree with the views of said people. Although a simple statement, it is much easier said than done. Respect is important in every aspect of life, but especially in a classroom setting. Respect should look like students listening to the teacher. It should look like kids attempting to set aside their differences for the greater good. It should look like many different people working for a common goal: making sure everyone is able to be who they are with no discrimination. How often that happens, I'm not really sure. I think it's possible. I've seen it done, but it is definitely tricky. I believe having respect as an important part of the classroom dynamic increases learning and makes it more fun for teachers and students alike. It also brings people closer together in my opinion. The more you respect someone, the better chance you have of wanting and choosing to get to know them and to see why they are the way they are. I think respect is best established in a classroom if the teacher gives respect to the students. The teacher is the "boss" of the classroom, but that doesn't mean that they have the right to make their students' lives miserable. If respect from the teacher is given right from the get-go, I believe it will be much easier to gain respect from the teachers. Leading by example is a very strong tool, especially in classroom situations and with issues such as respect. No matter how you spin it, respect is necessary in all classrooms to allow for a higher level of learning.