As I stood outside a week ago on "Fun Friday" with another teacher, whom I admire greatly, she paid me a compliment. A student, who had been standing with us discussing a some issues walked away, she turned to me and said, "The students really trust you."
I stood for a minute not knowing what to say. I knew what I couldn't say, which was nothing, however "thank you" didn't seem appropriate either, so I just stood there.
After a few moments I spoke and we began a conversation that will go with me for many years to come.
She had no idea the burden that was on my heart at that very moment; she had no idea that I was anxiously awaiting the return of our administrator so that I could seek some much needed advice from her about this very topic. See, sometimes having students who trust and depend on us and only us can be more of a curse than a blessing.
I do feel that it is important for our students to be able to trust us as educators, particularly in middle school settings. This is a particularly difficult time in their development, a time when they when they often do not understand what is going on within their own minds and bodies. The changes that happen between the ages of 10 and 15 are more profound than at any other time in a child's life with the exception of the first three months. Young adolescents experience changes in their physical development, cognitive-intellectual development, moral development, psychological development, and in their social-emotional development.
Young adolescents can become very confused about who their friends are, their path in life, all kinds of things. It is during this time that youngsters make decisions that will ultimately shape who they become as adults. Therefore it is imperative that they know they can trust us to tell them the truth. They need to know that we are not hypocritical individuals who say do as I say not as I do.
I am honest with my students about who I am and where I came from. I have been honest with my students about who I was as a student when I was their age. I have gone so far as to admit to them that I made an 'F' in science when I was in the 7th grade. I think that it is only fair that students, my students, see that I am a human being. I have also told them that my 7th grade science teacher is on my Facebook page, he has also been invited to read my blog and visit my website, he is one of my biggest supporters on my adventure into middle school.
I am honest with my students because I want them to understand:
I too, make mistakes.
I, like them, am not perfect. However, together we can all get through this thing we call middle school.