Relationships are the foundation of learning.
I believe that before meaningful learning can take place, I must foster relationships with my students in order to construct a solid platform for learning. As Maslow explains in his hierarchy of needs, students must have their most basic needs met, as well as feel safe, loved, and have a sense of belonging, before they are able to connect and engage with learning (Kurt, 2021). But understanding the specific needs of students, I am better able to support students in an equitable way. I believe that students’ cultures and ways of knowing should be welcomed into the classroom as a way of welcoming individuality and different ways of things, as I work to decolonize education. By fostering a positive classroom community, where collaboration, excitement, empathy, respect, and reciprocity are the guideposts that direct interactions and experiences within my classroom, I can create a place where students want to be and where they feel safe to take risks in their learning.
“Every child needs at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about [them]”
– Urie Brofenbrenner
Learning is not a quiet or sedentary activity.
I believe that understanding is best created when students are interested and actively participating in the learning experience. I believe it is important to plan learning activities that incorporate the interests of my students’ and utilize a variety of learning methods. I believe students should be given the opportunity to be social and that it is not a hinderance to learning. Group work, project-based learning, and being physically active within the classroom, all help to create an engaging learning environment that gets students out of their seats an immersed in the discovery aspect of learning.
Kurt, Serhat. (2021, January 3). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in education. Education Library.
https://educationlibrary.org/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-in-education/
