This week was my first day in the grade 4/5 class in which I will be doing my short term and long term practicums. I spent majority of my time observing the different characters in the class. I wanted to see who was the classroom “clown”, “over achiever”, “popular kid”, and “good listener”. I finally got a chance to get a good sense of the classroom community.
These kids are so talented. They have so many good ideas that they want to share, explore. They are so eager to do everything.
There was one student that really stuck to me while I was in the classroom. He was very quiet when working on the tasks assigned. I assumed he was a quite kid, but when it came to interacting with his peers he was very involved. I was very confused with his behaviour. I shared my observations with the classroom teacher. She gave me the background of the student, which entailed neglect in the home environment due to the size of the family. He was one of the seven children of that family. Through out day I felt myself gravitate towards him. I was trying to get him to converse with me. I was trying to see what he liked and did not like. I was giving him positive feedback on the work he was doing. I just wanted him to feel as though what he did, said and thinks does matter. I know I could not fill the void, but, I still wanted him to feel he was being noticed.
How do I refrain from feeling this way? Every classroom is going to have certain students who come from different family environments, how do I help them? Is it even my place to do something? Would I be intervening in the students life if I were to try to help/comfort the student? Is it normal to become emotional?
You have made some excellent classroom observations and asked some very good questions. During your teaching journey you will encounter many students who struggle for many reasons. Having a heart for those students and knowing that meaningful connection to one significant adult can make a huge difference can guide you. It is normal and wonderful to feel empathy and concern for those you will be teaching. There are many professionals in a building who can work together to help to support struggling students, socially, emotionally and academically as well as the teacher who can care for and encourage those students daily. Although we can’t always change the life circumstances of children, we can get them the help they need and be there as one of the significant caring adults in those children’s lives..