As an educator, I personally think it is my responsibility to ensure I am creating a welcoming, kind environment in which students can be themselves. No one should ever have to hide who they are in fear of being picked on or singled out. As the teacher, I am the one setting the example for each and every student that walks into my classroom, and every single student walking in will be walking in with the freedom to be who they want to be.
It is important to me that when I start teaching, I talk to the students, not at them. Respect is a very important part of my life, and I feel that when educators simply expect the respect of the students, they are less likely to receive it.
Due to how easy it is to access the internet for kids, it is important that we keep in mind what we assume they don’t know. When it comes to current events within the world, I believe it is important to not shy away from these conversations but to encourage them when appropriate. It isn’t a teacher’s job to only follow the curriculum. It is our job as educators to try our best to answer curious minds. Students can surprise us, we need to let them.