Do I Belong Here?
Do I belong here?
Is this class and subject for me and do I belong here? It’s a question most of us have asked ourselves at some point in school and for many of us multiple times throughout our years in school all the way from Kindergarten to Grad school. Well, it’s important to understand that it is also a question that continues to be on the hearts and minds of many students in classrooms across the nation today.
As teachers and educators, we all carry the responsibility and privilege of answering the question “do I belong here” and we need to answer it for students with a bold YES! When students feel valued and seen they show up different. When they feel safe, and confident they rise up!
How do you establish a classroom where every student knows they belong in the class? This is done by recognizing each student is coming with their own unique gifts and talents and cultural background. Also, by providing clear instruction with work students can be successful at and that is scaffold and allows students to feel success early on in the class. Also, culturally responsive classrooms are a key to students knowing they belong. When we talk about culturally responsive teaching it’s not a buzzword to be used loosely in our classrooms. It’s the mission, mindset, and method that breathes life into our teaching and instruction. It’s also how we affirm students ‘identities, celebrate their greatness, and equip them to thrive in a world that needs their gifts, talents, and voice.
Often times when you are new to teaching or working in education you may be filled with doubt in your effectiveness to run a classroom and teach. However, it’s important to shift your mindset and get out of your own way. It’s normal and there is nothing wrong with you for going through a wide range of emotions, after all you are dealing with human beings with emotions not just spreadsheets on a computer. When it gets overwhelming you need stay calm and confident and put students first and continue to make students feel safe and encouraged. Make sure students feel successful in doing the work you provide and make sure they learn steps 1,2,3 before you just start teaching steps 4 & 5. Success builds confidence and confidence builds self-esteem and self-esteem increases student engagement in learning. Be sure you have a structured learning environment with consistent routines, systems, and of course high expectations. You worked hard and earned the privilege to be a teacher and you are the adult in the room so you have the important job of setting the tone. Set students up for success by providing this structured learning environment.
Lastly, when you don’t feel like you are doing a good job or failing as a teacher, give yourself grace and just know there is nothing wrong with you for feeling this way. I can tell you from personal experience that being a teacher or working in education is a marathon, not a sprint. I have had countless days of driving home reflecting on the day and not feeling great about myself for things I may have missed, could have done better or handled differently. The good news is when you work in education each day is really a fresh start and under normal circumstances you can create the change you want to see the very next day. Keep high expectations, stay the course and commit to the process and you will grow as a teacher/educator. Just know it does take an investment in yourself, so keep reflecting, learning, and practicing new ways to engage students. Remember practice makes…… improvement and that is our constant goal, to improve each day
