I’m Not Busy

In Let’s Stamp Out Busyness from Ideas and Thoughts from an EdTech by Dean Shareski, he states,

“I worked for a principal one time that I knew was had tons going on. His desk was full of notes from people to call, his day full of meetings but he made every kid and adult in the school feel like he had time for them. If people asked if he was busy, he would brush off the question and invite you to come in and sit down. He never made you feel rushed or that you were keeping him from something. “

Recently we went to see a doctor and my husband apologized for complaining and taking up too much of the doctor’s time. The doctor leaned back in the chair and said that he had all the time in the world for us. Wow! We felt very special and truly valued. This doctor didn’t rush us but instead made us feel like the time he spent with us was very important. When we left, we both talked about how much we liked this doctor because of the time he spent with us. Even though we knew he was a very busy doctor (we saw the waiting room), it didn’t seem to matter to him. Of course I need to remember this when I’m impatient to see a doctor and realize that he is spending the same important time with other patients.

I also worked for a principal who treated me the same way. I knew how busy he was but if I ever needed to talk to him, he always made time for me. He didn’t continue to work while I talked about what was important to me. He put whatever he was doing aside and gave me his full attention. Because I knew how busy he was, I tried to keep the information short and to the point. I liked to get to the bottom line first and then expand rather than give a long drawn out story with him wondering what I was getting at. In fact, he told me how much he appreciated that too. I also knew that because he would take time to listen to me that I did not need to abuse this or take advantage of this. It also made me feel valued as an employee and I was glad to work for him.

I hope when students come to see me that I take the time to value this person and take time to really listen. I have met with other people where they tell me that they are listening and that they can multitask so as I am talking, they continue to work on the computer. I know how that makes me feel so I hope that I don’t do the same thing with my students. It is not fair to them for me to not focus on what is important to them. Just allowing them to have their say is not enough. It is important to make eye contact and have body language that shows I care.

I feel that I am often busy and I like to stay busy. But I should never be too busy to connect with others. It is very important to remind myself that people are more important than being busy.

Posted on the Successful Teaching Blog by loonyhiker (successfulteaching at gmail dot com).

Original image: 'busy schedule?'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56808304@N00/2533996623

Welcoming New Students

In Out of My Element from Informania by Fran Bullington, she asks,
“What else can we do to put our patrons at ease and help them feel not only welcomed, but at home in our media center?”
Our students will start in our district next week and teachers start this week. This had me thinking about what I could do to help students feel welcomed and at home in my classroom.
I think it is scary for anyone to start a new situation and new classes can overwhelm many students. I think by acknowledging this for the students can go a long way. Many teenagers would rather die than admit this but knowing that the teacher understands may help them feel better.
I think it is important for students to know who I am and a little of my background. This goes a long way to establishing a rapport with them. I let them know that I love hiking and many times throughout the year, I share my hiking adventures with them. In the same light, I show interest in what my students like to do. I had one student who loved skateboarding and he shared pictures and videos with me. By doing things like this, I was able to show my students that I cared about them and that being a teacher wasn’t all about the paycheck.
I like for students to tell me about any brothers or sisters they have and where in the line they are. Are they the youngest, oldest, or the only child? Sometimes that tells me a lot in how I will deal with them throughout the year.
I also go over the layout of the school. Even though some of the students don’t need this, the new ones do and some may need it but be too embarrassed to ask. I explain where the restrooms are in each hall as well as the library, cafeteria, main office, and administrators offices. I keep a map posted in the room so I can refer to it if necessary.
I talk about the different people and their names that the students may see frequently. If pictures are available, I even show them pictures from the yearbook. I remember going a whole year one time and not having any idea what the principal looked like!
I also go over routine procedures for everyone. This includes paying any school fees, cafeteria lines (I enlist the help of those who have attended previously). There are many things we take for granted that everyone knows and I remember when I was a 10^th grader at a new school and didn’t know a lot of these things. I didn’t want to ask anyone so I tried to watch what everyone else was doing and muddled through but it was an anxious time for me.
Usually the first week of school is very chaotic and the daily bell schedule is adjusted. Homerooms are longer and classes are shorter so I post the bell schedule on the board for students (and myself) to refer to often. I also encourage students to find me if they become confused and can’t figure out where to go. Knowing that I can be a safety net goes a long way into giving new students some comfort.
What do you do to welcome new students to your classroom? Please share!
Posted on the Successful Teaching Blog by loonyhiker (successfulteaching at gmail dot com).
Original image: 'India - Sights & Culture - 027 - Chalk & flower welcome drawings'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56796376@N00/2225262197 by: McKay Savage