Helping Me Learn by Brittany

Helping Me Learn by Brittany - January 2015 Scholarship Essay

In my current job position, I am a Teacher’s Assistant for a Prek-3 classroom. In my position, I deal with the children for the better part of my day, whether it is transporting them from one room to the other or teaching them an activity. I have been in this position for several years and I’ve learned that it is so much easier to get them to listen once I have connected with them. It doesn’t usually happen overnight, but when it does, I can see a drastic change in how the student follows directions and listens to what I tell them to do. At this age, as in every other age, each child is completely different from his/her classmate, from attitudes to level of knowledge. The biggest change to classroom flow, is being able to connect with each student and having them want to listen and learn because you make it easier for them.

With that being said, if I could give a teacher one piece of advice to help me learn, it would have to be to connect with me. I feel that if a teacher connects with their students, it makes it so much easier for the students to learn the information being taught to them. When a teacher connects with me, it is a lot easier for me to ask questions when I have a problem or don’t understand the material. If the teacher is able to connect with me and understand the way I learn and how I understand what is being taught, it will be easier for them to send the message. Now, I understand that I am not the only student in the class, but I feel like a good teacher should connect with all of their students and understand how they learn. If a teacher is able to do that, they are a great teacher and can teach any one of their students anything.

When a student has a connection with a teacher, the student develops a certain drive and eagerness to want to learn and understand the material that is being taught to them. The teacher-student connection makes all of the difference in the world, without it student feels lost and a teacher unable to teach a student.