Reigniting the Spark: Resetting for a Student-Centered Classroom
Is it just me OR does NO ONE want to come to school, myself included?!?! More times than I’d like to admit, I am in the classroom feeling like…
I’m just tired, y'all! And while reflecting on why I revealed an uncomfortable truth—that the feelings of frustration, overwhelm, and exhaustion are not exclusive to us as educators, but are shared deeply by our students.
It might not feel like it but many of us are in the same boat as our students and yet we fight with them as if they are the problem; IT'S THE SYSTEM THAT'S THE PROBLEM!
Earlier this week on my IG story I talked about the idea that you can always start over (its become a mantra at this point). I coach, speak, and write weekly about the power of student centered practices and I still struggle with it being student centered, because it goes against what is natural, against what we are taught in our teacher prep programs, and what many of us have experienced as students.
But with all that being said, it doesn’t make it easier when young people are doing all the things that drive us crazy!
Talking over us and one another
Getting off task
Cursing up a storm
Completely disengaging
Sleeping in class
Play fighting
Copying work from the internet or their peers
And on, and on!
I am dealing with these behaviors too and no matter how hard I push to get all students to buy in, it’s just not always going to work out that way. Especially for us high school educators, students are coming to us with YEARS of socialization that school is boring, stupid, and stressful.
So, I hope it helps to know you are not responding to behaviors solely due to what you are doing, but what they have experienced in every classroom before yours. We might look at each year or each class as a fresh start, but for many students, its just another oppressive classroom trying to steal their joy away, at least until you prove otherwise.
Building a student-centered classroom requires commitment from us to try again, and again and again! As we walk into the most tiring part of the year I want us to reflect on how its gone so far.
What is going well?
What do you need more of from your students?
What do they need more of from you?
What do you want to see less of?
What do students need to see less of from you?
Once you understand where you are, and where you’d like to go, together you and your students can build the student-centered classroom of our dreams.
And if you don’t know where to start, here are a few ideas:
1. Revise Seating Arrangements: Consider rearranging the classroom to facilitate more interaction and collaboration among students. Instead of traditional rows, try circles, U-shapes, or small groups to promote discussion, teamwork, and a sense of community. This physical shift can signal a move towards a more inclusive and student-focused learning environment.
2. Incorporate Student Choice: Introduce elements of choice in assignments, projects, or even daily activities. This could range from allowing students to select from various book options for a reading assignment to letting them choose the format of a project presentation. Providing options can increase engagement, motivation, and ownership of their learning process.
3. Implement Reflective Practices: Encourage students to reflect on their learning by regularly integrating reflective activities, such as journaling, peer discussions, or personal goal setting. This helps students develop self-awareness and a deeper understanding of their learning experiences. It also provides the teacher with insights into student progress and areas needing attention.
You can use each or all of these practices to make the shift toward working WITH your students to enhance the learning environment. They can be initiated quickly but will have a lasting impact on transitioning towards a student-centered approach.
This learning thing is a two way street but the system tries to put it all on the teachers and I am NOT going to do that! I’ve felt like a failure, and I’m sure you have too, but remember that feeling comes from forgetting that we don’t work for a system, I work for the kids!
Let’s transform the education system together, one student-centered classroom at a time!
