February 16, 2015 - 16:33
In Chapter 4 of "Tough Fronts," Janelle Dance emphasizes the importance of student teacher relationships and how they play role in student performance. There were a lot of great points that I resonanted with throughout the chapter, like when it reiterates the significance of functional community as it provides closure between the adult communities and the communities of youth in school. Rather than accentuating the disparities among the diferent communties, we should work towards making them connect and work together.
"These students describe the majority of their relationships with teachers as devoid of trust, devoid of caring, devoid of viable information and therefore deficient in social capital resources that enable positive educational outcomes."
Students who connect effectively with their teachers do so because their teachers are invested not only in their education but also their well being. Good teachers don't only care about making sure their students are performing at the appropiate academic level, but also reaching out to them and connecting with them. Students are individuals too who go through life events just like everyone else does which means that school is not always in our mind. One of the biggest problems with that is that most teachers are more concerned appearing professional than as a friend which can be problematic because teachers aren't concerned with being caring and nurting.
I had the opportunity of working as fellowship teacher this summer and towards the end of the program, a couple of my coteachers thanked me for looking out for the underdog and always pushing them to strive for better and actively participating in activities and games with them. Although I wanted to take this as a compliment, I couldn't help to keep thinking that they shouldn't be praising me or thanking me for WE should have all been doing that. We should connect with our students on a personal level and not just care about how they're doing on an academic stance, but also on a personal one. Students need nurture and stable relationships, especially students who come from rough backgrounds. Students need to know that they can look up to and count on someone.