Bringing Out the Best in Your Students
School hierarchies naturally create leaders and followers. This week, the target audience is the classroom teacher who acts as a leader to her students, but the tips are applicable to any situation where effective leadership is important.
This Week's Tips
Involve Students in Classroom Procedures (Monday)
Involve students in as many aspects of the classroom procedures as is reasonable. From helping to determine classroom rules to knowing that appropriate comments or questions will be treated seriously, students who perceive their importance in the day-to-day workings of the classroom will want to contribute to its success. Involved students will be motivated to protect the classroom environment through appropriate participation.
Recognize and Accept Student Differences (Tuesday)
Recognize and accept the differences among your students. By doing so, you allow yourself to determine realistically high expectations for each member of your class. Evaluate your efficacy in creating realistic expectations of your students, and determine how you might need to alter your instruction in order to help students successfully achieve in your class.
Provide Meaningful and Specific Praise (Wednesday)
Provide meaningful and specific praise to your students to promote positive self-esteem, self-respect, and a sense of importance. These characteristics motivate people to set and achieve purposeful goals. A poignant note on a graded paper, a positive comment while greeting students at the door, a note mailed to the student’s residence – regardless of the form, specifically worded praise will motivate students to achieve more.
Reward Your Students (Thursday)
Reward your students for goals achieved. Both intangible praise and tangible rewards are effective motivational tools. Pair the two when your students have worked diligently to accomplish a challenging task. Organize a game, throw a popcorn party, or invite a motivational guest to speak to the class – such recognition for a job well done motivates students to set and achieve additional goals.
Lead by Example (Friday)
Show students how you expect them to behave and achieve. Not only should you be an active member of the class, but you should also be an active part of the school community. Students who may not respond to academic encouragement in the classroom will notice your presence at their basketball game or chorus recital. Your presence will send a pointed message that you care about the student’s personal, as well as academic, success.
