Middle School Teachers MUST Connect with Their Students – Here are 5 Reasons Why In the Middle of It with Amy Kelly, The Ish Girl

Middle School Teachers MUST Connect with Their Students – Here are 5 Reasons Why
A SHIFT IN PERSPECTIVE
Recently, I’ve watched several close friends walk through devastating losses. We’re all still dealing with the fallout – grief, confusion, and trying to figure out a new normal.
As you might imagine, my heart is a bit raw and my perspective has been sharpened. I’m hugging my kids a little more often – when they’ll let me! – and my prayer life has been jump-started.
Now, as I said, my perspective has been shifted – and it’s not that I didn’t have my focus squarely centered on how to love and influence and connect with my teens. It’s just that now, there’s a renewed sense of urgency. These losses have been a poignant reminder that there are no guarantees in life, and that motivates me to, as Thoreau put it, “live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.” (And yes, I totally know that quote because of Dead Poet’s Society.)
And that ties directly into what I want to talk to you all about today.
THIS ONE’S FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS
This one is directed at you Middle School teachers out there. And while I think you probably know this intuitively, I thought it was something worthy of being spelled out.
For those of you who aren’t middle school teachers, lean in anyway. I’m assuming you’re the parent of a teen, and what I’m about to share is one way to recognize the GREAT teachers they have. When you see a teacher doing these things, take note. It means they have a passion for your child and a drive to help them become the person he or she is meant to be.
THE BIG IDEA FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS
Are you ready? Here it is: IT IS SUPER IMPORTANT FOR MS TEACHERS TO CONNECT WITH THEIR STUDENTS.
A Necessary Caveat
Now, before I explain what I mean by this, I have to put this caveat out there: in NO WAY am I making the claim that student grades or test score go up or down based on a connection with their teachers.
As an educator, I know all too well, that our students are not widgets or computer hard drives or any other kind of product that can be assembly-lined into existence. Kids are affected by a million different factors, many (if not most!) outside the classroom, including but not limited to: hormones, sleep quality, trauma, hunger, abuse, parenting styles, social drama, and personality. Believe me when I say that is not an exhaustive list. But it’s enough to get my point across.
However, I am still making the case that connection with students plays a major factor in some other areas. Stay with me as I share what they are.
 
It makes it more likely that students are willing to learn from you
Have you tried learning from a teacher you didn’t like? I have, and the issue wasn’t so much that I didn’t like her as it was that I felt she didn’t like me. It made it super difficult to receive any of her knowledge and wisdom without second-guessing her.
So, why not maximize the learning opportunity? When you project the right energy in your classroom, your students feel heard, respected, and valued. It can influence how they feel about you, and when they like you, they work hard to impress you and please you. Kind of like working for a good boss – you’re willing to do anything it takes because you’re part of the team.
When your energy is welcoming, accepting, and respectful, you have a better chance of inspiring your students to work hard and engage in your classroom.
In fact, in a study done in Evaluation and Research in Education, the authors note that “When students like the teacher their effort and quality of work improves.” I’m going to be sharing more from this article as I go along, so I’ve included it in my show notes if you’d like to read it.
It makes classroom management easier
Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Or, which comes first, connecting with your students leads to appropriate behavior or appropriate behavior lead