21st Century Collaboration--Building Relationships

Reflecting on the events of the past two weeks, knowing that the work of the officials involved has yet to be finished, and preparing to go back to work (school) after spring break with the plot still heavy on our minds, I am reminded of one of the main reasons most of us are in this profession.

That reason is so that we can help kids.

We now have more opportunities than ever to be able to get to know our students well and do what we can to better their lives. We can't solve every problem, but we can do our best with the ones we know about.

One of the main components of 21st Century Learning and Teaching is collaboration. Every time I explain the value of blogs, wikis, and social networks (Ning) in education, my main point is that using them allows us to get to know our students better.

Many students, shy or not, will write in a blog or discussion more than they will reveal verbally. Part of the reason is that they are more comfortable texting and typing. I've heard many people near my age, and even younger (not that I'm young--I just would expect younger educators to be more accepting), disdainfully complain about that characteristic of the net-generation, but it's not a bad thing; it's just a new thing.

And the point is, if we use that to our advantage, to engage students, and to get to know them better, then we are in a better position to do our jobs well--to help them discover, create, collaborate, and grow.

And to help them solve some problems that they may never share with anyone else. After all, all they really ever want from us (usually) is just to be there for them.

Why Teach?

A person is a teacher because he knows what is important.

Pure and simple.

It comes from the gut.

It starts from the knowledge that no one survives alone

And the best way to grow is with the guidance

Of someone in your corner.

That person "in a child's corner" is his teacher.

Now for the unvarnished truth: No guts, no glory.

Teaching takes more patience, energy, stamina, and resilience

Than the average person has.

But there is nothing in the world like it.

A teacher calls his students "my kids."

Make no mistake; that's exactly the way it is.

There is a bond.

The bond says to each student: I will be here for you each day.

I want you to be here. I will be ready to teach you.

I expect you to do the best you can. I will help you.

You are important to me.

Why teach?

Why work so hard to make life better for kids?

What is it that the teacher gets in return?

The "return" is a child who has learned.

Along with the guarantee that the future

Is in the hands of the students who walk into his room.

At the end of life,

A teacher won't have to be concerned

About what he did for mankind

Because mankind walked through his door

And waited for him to reveal a world

That was worth the effort.

~J.C. Grosche ©2007