3 answers
Divine
Student
Chesapeake, Virginia
2
Questions
Asked
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As a educator, how do you make sure to effectively communicate to each student?
I know all students learn differently, especially students with special needs. For future reference I am curious as to how does one make sure that you communicate effectively with each student, so that they all learn and understand. #special-education #being-an-elementary-teacher #elementary-education #education
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3 answers
Bryant Gomer
Education Manager at CareerVillage.org
34
Answers
Menlo Park, California
Updated
Bryant’s Answer
Hi Divine,
That is such a good question because it is maybe one of the biggest challenges and obstacles facing teachers: How to effectively communicate with each student. During my time as a high school teacher, it was clear to me that all 175+ of my students were unique and individual learners. Some students respond more to visuals, others to text. Some students really needed me to talk a lot while others did much better without me talking to them. In short, there is no 1 magical solution that is going to reach 100% of your students effectively each time. I think it is important for teachers to be willing to adapt and adjust instructional techniques throughout the week / unit / school year to give their students more opportunity to connect with the class. Students should have the chance to get hands on experience with a project, students should get the chance to read and write, students should get the chance to produce creative work, etc. etc. etc.
What was most important to me is that my students knew that as their teacher, I always had their best interest in mind. Personally, I felt that demanding all of my students to adapt to a single method of instruction was not in everyone's best interest. It's a balance of making sure your students have access to the content, an opportunity to develop the needed skills to advance as learners, and the chance to learn through new and exciting mediums.
Though it can be extremely difficult in classroom of 35+ students, I always made sure to check in with every single student every single class period. That personal check in may have only have been 8-10 seconds, but allowed me to communicate to each student, to show them that every single student had a significance in my classroom, and it allowed me to get a quick sense on how that student was responding to my class that particular day.
As I mentioned earlier, your question is so good because it is such a challenging solution; and one that was constantly on my mind as a teacher. Ultimately as a teacher, if you are leaving the day feeling that every one of your students at least had an authentic opportunity to learn that day, you are at least off to a positive start in finding that answer to your question.
Thanks again for your question!
That is such a good question because it is maybe one of the biggest challenges and obstacles facing teachers: How to effectively communicate with each student. During my time as a high school teacher, it was clear to me that all 175+ of my students were unique and individual learners. Some students respond more to visuals, others to text. Some students really needed me to talk a lot while others did much better without me talking to them. In short, there is no 1 magical solution that is going to reach 100% of your students effectively each time. I think it is important for teachers to be willing to adapt and adjust instructional techniques throughout the week / unit / school year to give their students more opportunity to connect with the class. Students should have the chance to get hands on experience with a project, students should get the chance to read and write, students should get the chance to produce creative work, etc. etc. etc.
What was most important to me is that my students knew that as their teacher, I always had their best interest in mind. Personally, I felt that demanding all of my students to adapt to a single method of instruction was not in everyone's best interest. It's a balance of making sure your students have access to the content, an opportunity to develop the needed skills to advance as learners, and the chance to learn through new and exciting mediums.
Though it can be extremely difficult in classroom of 35+ students, I always made sure to check in with every single student every single class period. That personal check in may have only have been 8-10 seconds, but allowed me to communicate to each student, to show them that every single student had a significance in my classroom, and it allowed me to get a quick sense on how that student was responding to my class that particular day.
As I mentioned earlier, your question is so good because it is such a challenging solution; and one that was constantly on my mind as a teacher. Ultimately as a teacher, if you are leaving the day feeling that every one of your students at least had an authentic opportunity to learn that day, you are at least off to a positive start in finding that answer to your question.
Thanks again for your question!
First thank you both for your dedication to the field. I am not an educator but have valued good mentors. In life as a highly effective leader in the private sector I can offer what worked for me. Yes a personal touch is nice but can be daunting if you have 120 people to deal with. It takes time to become effective so don't try to do it all yourself. As a student what I dreaded the most was boredom and that happened quite often. Many of my teachers I don't think knew how smart I was. So build teams, there are always mal-contents in class that are boisterous. Get them on your side and assign them difficult tasks. You may have to shuffle those responsibilities but once you find their niche. Voila, instant help, Best to you.
Mario Guzman
Kaylee Satterwhite
32
Answers
Stockbridge, Georgia
Updated
Kaylee’s Answer
One thing I have learned is to try and bond with them and learn them so you can communicate better and understand them more.
Rachel Resnick
Behavioral Health Professional; CT Licensed Secondary Educator
599
Answers
Seymour, Connecticut
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
Essentially, treat them like human beings. Your students are people too and communicating effectively with them, essentially means communicating with them. Be genuine, compassionate, caring, and show them you care about them as a person and beyond the classroom. Your students need to know that you have a genuine compassion for their feelings and that you care about what they have to say. This starts with building relationships with your students, allowing them to get to know you, and showing a genuine interest in getting to know them.