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.