Last week we examined the need for empathy in the classroom. However, in addition to this is also the need for respect!
Undoubtedly any teacher, be it of ESL or another topic, can agree that an important area that I feel is also lacking within education is respect. Respect not simply for ones own students but as importantly for one's own colleagues. An integral part of teaching is team work between not only you and your colleagues but team work between your students and yourself as well.
Having had the opportunity to see first hand both spectrums, from a group of teachers working perfectly well together in an academic school such as a university and to a group of teachers that was in crisis as a result of lack of teamwork in an ESL school in South Korea I believe that it is important to instill a sense of responsibility towards one's own actions towards another.
As a teacher I believe that respect is paramount to not only conducting a well taught class but as well within the confines of working with other teachers. Remember, both your peers and students alike face stress each and everyday. Having students talk about their stress and relating to each other in a positive manner will go a long way rather than treating it like it is their problem. Subsequently, by opening up to your peers and relating to each other you may find that those in securities or fears that have been keeping you up at night are not so serious as you may have thought.
By emphasizing the need for positive communication you begin to foster an environment of respect and trust amongst not only your peers or between students but just as importantly between your students and yourself. Having students actively engage each other and by engaging your peers in a productive and neutral manner you can help ensure that students are not only more confident in class but that they inevitably take these important life skills with them to future relationships they may have, both personal and professional.
There are several ways which you can start introducing this into your classroom without seemingly coming off as an after school special. The following are tips on what you can do to start making a difference:
• Life Span Interviews- Having students' role play helps youth organize their feelings and converse productively amongst each other as oppose to fighting amongst themselves.
• Cross Cultural Relativity- Whether your teaching in a foreign school or have a foreign student in your classroom, getting to know the values, customs and beliefs of other cultures will not only be fun way to introduce different ethnicities but just as importantly, it will give you, the Teacher, different tools and ideas on how to imprint this act.
• Role Models- Using someone famous in contemporary society or by using someone well known in the past you may be able to express this idea further by showing the virtues and value of behaving a certain way and the benefits of it in the long run.
• Be a Role Model- Despite popular belief, you don't have to be famous to be a role model. How you act and carry yourself, especially in times of crisis will speak volumes of your character more than anything you could ever say. By being true to your own principles you are effectively teaching students and peers alike both the boundaries that need to be followed and the ways in which to follow them.
The success of teaching lies not within an individual basis but rather as a group effort. Communicating ones own feelings, thoughts and dislikes in a positive and professional way amongst colleagues can and would only strengthen relations. As a result, the client is in a safe and therapeutic environment that therefore allows for him or her to progress in a positive manner.
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