The student who wanted to be in my group for SLC!

Hi new teachers, 

SLC is student led conference where students create a portfolio of their work to show parents. Schools conduct it as one way of showcasing student learning. While working for a school that had SLCs, my co-homeroom teacher and I had to divide students. I took all the 'naughty' ones. I told them in advance that they don't have to worry about angry parents or complaining parents on SLC day. One student particularly requested to be in my group. When the mother came for the SLC, she complained about the students' behaviour and academics.  I told her to not find fault with her child. I explained that SLC was a celebration of all the student had accomplished and a reflection on what they could do better. It was their day. If she had any appreciative comments, she could communicate it, but there would be no complaints. And that stopped her. This was a very powerful moment for the student- because he saw that he was advocated for by his teacher, in front of his parent.

Every year, in schools that have SLC and I have been a Homeroom teacher, I have done this. Students would actually tell me in advance that they want to be in my group so that they don't have to listen to parent complaints on their special day.

Extending this further to Parent-teacher-student meetings (PTSM) during report time, as a teacher, I have always pointed out first, what the student is good at. While pointing out areas of concern, I have also pointed out what I would do as a teacher to help. PTSMs have always been a positive experience for students I have taught. I always give very detailed comments on written extended writing formatives and detailed comments on summative assessment. I would show this to parents during PTSMs and tell them that the students have to go through the comments to find out how to improve. 

Not only I would give detailed comments on formatives and summatives, I would also ask students to work on it and show me the revised work so that I know they have understood what needs to be done. During class, I would plan my lessons in such a manner that all students would be working on a task and I would call students one by one to take them through my comments. In fact, this makes it so clear to students as to what they should do better, that they always ask me for one-on-one time after I return their corrected work.

Also, I never give out grades for students in front of the whole class. Grades are a private matter and if the student wishes to share with their peers, it is their choice. I never compare one student's performance with that of another student. I always compare the students present performance with their earlier performance.

A Head of School I worked with also started asking teachers to write in the report comments what the teacher would do to help the student. So it was not just "X needs to work on...", but "I will help X to work on ....by ....". I believe this is excellent practice and puts the onus on the teacher as well and not only the student.

I protect the students' dignity by:

1. Not discussing any student in front of other students. This amounts to gossip and it is unprofessional. There is already a lot of discrimination and bullying the students are facing. We as teachers don't need to give students reasons to pull each other down.

2. Not passing sarcastic comments or making fun of student ability or lack of it...not even as a joke or as advice. For ex. telling a student that they should be happy they have achieved a particular level as they cannot achieve more will actually demotivate the student.

3. Having genuine praise for the student whenever the opportunity presents itself (students can immediately identify false praise). This will especially help students with low self esteem and low self worth. Also, praise has to be for a certain behaviour or skill demonstrated. For ex. "You have made such a good point" or "You have argued this so well" rather than "You are amazing" or "You are awesome".

Also it is a good idea to ask the student to be proud of themselves for ex. "This is such a good insight". Give yourself a pat on your back", rather than saying "I am proud of you". This way, the student does not have to depend on you to validate them.

4. Not making blanket statements about students in class or in private like "You are lazy" or "You are a slow learner".

5. Not discussing any student in front of other teachers unless it is a formal meeting set up for this purpose. This is also gossip and unprofessional. No jokes like "Oh, You have this student. Good luck".

6. Not making mean or disparaging remarks about students even in grade level meetings set up for discussing students. For ex. not passing remarks like "Now I am stuck with this student" or "This student is not capable of any learning".

I leave you with this very popular quote..."Be kind, you don't know what they are going through".



Cheers!!

#homework,#relationships,#behaviour,#school,#testing,#learning,#leaders,#teacher-student relationships,#myp,#newteachers,#teaching,#assessments,#students,#learning support,#ib


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