Authenticity

I honestly don't believe that there are limits or boundaries when it comes to authenticity. Teachers address their students as real human beings. Why should they not be themselves around those they are teaching? I would much rather have an authentic teacher than a 'fake' one. I feel that people should be authentic when it comes to their personality. There may be a time when one is teaching about a subject they don't really care for, but they can feign interest for the benefit of the children. This is not being inauthentic, as it is not changing themselves as a person. Students can tell if you are not being real or genuine with them. They could care less if you are pretending to be interested in the Hundred Years War, as long as they know you care. When it comes to authenticity, I feel it should never be hidden or pushed to the side for learning's sake, but rather embraced and built off of.

Compassion

I was the model student in high school - straight A's, Concert Choir president, first chair flute, Homecoming court, had an irreplaceable group of friends, and active in countless clubs and Student Council. This may have reflected my Type A personality - or perfectionist. I have been sick most of my life, having a low functioning immune system disorder called hypogammaglobulnemia. I got quite sick again and was in the hospital for a while. Stress of college approaching and my favorite person in the world, my Papa, being diagnosed with cancer all started to add up. I asked "Why me?" Needless to say, a wave of extreme depression set in. During this same time period, my favorite teacher of my most beloved class, history, was going through troubles of her own. She was struggling in her attempts to have a child and her sister was battling MS. She showed me compassion and emoted resilience. If nothing could stop her, I would have the same mentality. She listened to my problems in an unbiased manner and still managed to be successful as a teacher, sister, and wife during this time. I still look to her as my mentor. Her teaching skills in the classroom were impeccable, but what I saw on a personal level is what I will always remember. Every break, I still drive out to her house for a cup of tea and a play date with her son, Jayden, whom she adopted from South Korea. She couldn't be happier now, and luckily, neither could I.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Find Out What it Means to Me

Respect - often given, demanded, lost, gained, and grappled for, but what is this thing that we all need a bit of? I feel that respect can make leaps and bounds in any relationship. This concept can be based off of many different ideals. It is hard to put my finger on just one of them.  Trust can be gained through respect. Mutual agreements can be made through respect. Showing admiration or tolerance for similar or differing ideals can be accomplished through respect.

The notion of respect - or regard - is imperative in a classroom. Teachers that instill strong levels of respect between themselves and students, and interaction between students, will run a much more efficient and a more well managed classroom than those that lack respect. At the beginning of the year, it is common for students to walk into the classroom with the idea that the teacher must earn their respect. Contrastingly, it is important for the teacher to hold some level of respect for each and every student at the beginning of the year, and must find a way to maintain respect so that the classroom functions effectively. I believe the famous Jackie Robinson sums up respect, not just in the classroom but on a global level, well with these words: "I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being."