As a parent, I treasure those family conversations around the dinner table. It is where we connected as a family and I learned about my children and spouse's day. The vacations and the 'big" moments are fun, but I feel like it is those nightly meal conversations where we made our connections that will last forever.
Teachers- you need to know that you are in those conversations. My children told stories about class. They told me about funny things their teachers did, times they felt unfairly treated, and how their teachers reacted to stress and behavior issues in the classroom.
I have also have had many parents tell me that their child tells them about me around the dinner table. Often times, it is a story that I thought was something very incidental or some I can't even remember when they happened! Sometimes they are about things I do all the time (sing silly songs, tell silly jokes, talk about my love for the Astros or the color purple) but it seems it is NEVER about the way I taught a concept!
No matter how many hours I spend on building a lesson, tweaking my presentation and defining the objectives, that is NOT what they are going home and talking about. That is not what is resonating in their mind. Now, mind you, I do believe it is sticking with them! I do believe that the work it takes to make an engaging lesson is worth it! But, it is not what they will remember about you.
However, I do believe that if you make positive connections through your actions, they are more open to learn those well developed lesson! I've seen it work. I've witnessed it in my own children. The teachers that they loved to tell funny stories about are also the ones that I watched them grow in their expertise of that subject/ grade level.
Making connections works. Have fun with your students. Let them get to know you as a person. Get to know them as a person. They will talk about you at the dinner table regardless of how you treat them, but the tone of the stories is up to you!
Have a great week!
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