Connections outside the Classroom

  

Do you find yourself engaged with students?



As I reflected on this past month and was considering what to write about this month, I found myself coming back to a common theme throughout the month of January - connections with students and how they impact what happens in the classroom.




The first and biggest one is coaching the boys soccer team on campus.  The beginning of January saw many students try out for the team but only 16 of them actually making the team.  The challenge was that  of the 16 players only three of them would have been eligible to play during the first semester - the other 13 players all had grades which needed much improvement.  Many of the players were students that I had in class and just were not giving their best effort.  However, six weeks into the new semester I have only one player is not eligible to play because of grades.  Every player/student is committed to making sure their grades are good enough to play and several players are working to make sure their grades are far above the average.  Students are staying after school and coming during lunch to ensure their grades remain at the right level.  The kids are committed because they found something at school that they are good at and enjoy.





The second connection I had was coaching the school's Math Pentathlon Team - 7th grade and 8th grade.  This team met over 10 times after school in preparation for the District event.  The ten students who came every time grew closer as a group of students - encouraging each other not to give up and to think in a different way.  Their enthusiasm carried over into the classroom as well as working together in the classroom.  For me, it was a great opportunity to see students in a different setting and in a relaxed environment.  These kids enjoy pushing themselves and it was my pleasure to see their pure delight in tackling the most challenging math problems.




Yes, it takes some time from your day but I wonder if there is something you can find at your school site to make those little extra connections with students?  Nothing is to small - that student who needs one person just to listen to them on their terms - will have a lasting impact that we can never measure.

I encourage to find something at your site to get involved with - ASB, Pi Day, after school tutoring, school play, sports program - even if it is only for one time.  Time is short with our students - make a small connection with a student before that time is lost.

Teaching and still loving it,

    Kevin Stott                         

De Anza Middle School