Student Diversity
Teaching is not just about presenting and teaching students about materials that they need to learn. Yes, we need to master the skills being taught. However, it is learning to read people, identify their uniqueness, and their different learning styles. I have many things that have worked for me.
Does anyone have any additional helpful suggestions?
Kimberly,
The human factor is an essential component of successful teaching. You make a good point about how we need to remember this.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I recommend that all students fill out an initial survey on what things they wish to learn on the first day of class. Their different backgrounds will surface, and you can use this as an opportunity to create a checklist of goals for the entire class.
Benjamin,
This is a good idea as it gives you insight into who you have in the course and the contributions they can make to the class as it moves forward.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Excellent and well said. In all my years of teaching, I've learned that learning to read your students and understanding their learning style is crucial
I teach culinary school to students from very wide backgrounds. We have students straight out of high school, to adult learner facing career changes, to more difficult students that come to school as a last chance way to rehab after time in jail. You have to be able to recognize the diversity and treat all of the students with dignity and respect.
Michael,
Diversity among the student body is a fact in our classes so we need to be able to do as you have suggested and adapt our instructional style and delivery to engage everyone. This is what brings earns student respect and rapport.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One of the things I remind the students who are ESL that when we started in a career in health care we also had to learn a new language even though we were raised speaking english. Identifying how they can learn in many different ways specific for their own personalities.
Marilyn,
Good way to make a connections with the ESL students and helping them understand you understand some of the challenges they are facing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I appreciate all of your insights on this challenging topic. Knowing your students is crucial to being an effective teacher. It is important to have empathy and understanding for each student as a person. It allows the level of respect needed to maintain high expectations for all students.
A,
Your comments are right on target concerning the earning of mutual respect in a classroom setting. With respect comes the development of rapport and this is where interaction and personal growth really starts to occur.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
