Positivity and Education, Part I

Let's talk about positivity and education.

I realized something recently.  I believe, without a doubt, that students should be treated with understanding and respect.  What does this mean?  It my mind, it means not jumping to conclusions.  It means that it should not automatically be assumed that a student is lazy, unmotivated, thoughtless, mean, irresponsible, disorganized, or a variety of other potentially negative descriptors.

Here is what it does mean: I have to take the time to understand that student as a person.  Why were they late to class AGAIN?  Maybe the teacher from their previous class lets them out late, and they worry they will get in trouble if they just leave.  Why would I be upset with them for that?  That is something they can learn to address.  There is not an automatic jump between elementary and middle school, between middle school and high school, between high school and college... they are still learning and still retain certain behaviors from previous experiences.

In what type of situation does it do "good" to yell or reprimand a young adult?  I'm not sure I have found one.  Sure, I have been in situations where I have been stern and have talked about the implications about a behavior, action, word, etc.  But the point is to help the students grow.  Why did they leave that other student out?  Why do they not want to support a student?  Why do they think a warm-up is stupid? (I'm always up for hearing that type of feedback-- because it tells me I haven't explained to them what they are learning from it).

And in the end, if nothing else, I remind myself that my students will remember BOTH what they learned and how they felt.  If I put them in a situation where they feel bad about themselves or angry or defensive, they will remember that.  I would rather have them remember the growth, the learning, the music, the positive support.