What high school students wish their teachers knew

The quickest way to get to know your students is by listening and asking questions.

There are a lot of students that walk in and out of my classroom each day, and there isn’t a lot of time for me to have conversations with each one of them. At least not conversations that allow me to really get to know them. So, at the end of each class, I write a question on the board, sometimes serious, sometimes playful, each student takes a few moments to jot down their response, hands it to me, and heads to their next class. I’m often amazed at how open and honest they are.

 

Recently I asked, what do you wish that your teachers knew about you? Here are their responses. ( students are in grades 9-12)

” I have anxiety when it comes to little things.”

” I learn better doing hands on things”

” I wish they knew that I actually care about the environment.”

” I can’t listen for a long amount of time. ”

” I wish my teachers knew that I care what other people think of me.”

” How much I love to dance.”

” I wish my teachers knew I”m a lot smarter than people give me credit for.”

” That I have a very hard time comprehending things that people say , and what is being asked of me.”

” I wish my teachers knew that I’m really scared I’ll never succeed in life.”

” That when people talk about me, I have anger problems, and I talk back.”

” I wish my teachers knew how much they influence my view of adults.”

As teacher you’re always doing so much more than just teaching art, math, or English. You’re a mentor, a sounding a board, a shoulder to cry on. A chaperone, coach, motivator an inspirerer ( I”m aware that’s not a word).

That’s why I created a reflection journal, and loved using it so much that I”m sharing it with any and every single one of you! As an added bonus, because we all need a good laugh sometimes, I’ve included my favorite student quotes.