Blog Post #5

Teachers play so many roles in their career. They often have 30 or more students at a time and they each have their own learning styles and personalities that must be accommodated. Looking back at my own Elementary School days, I pondered the characteristics that my favorite teachers had what had the biggest impact on me. I had teachers that when a student felt behind or was struggling with the curriculum, rather than work with them and accommodate them, they would just have them transferred to another class. I had other teachers went above and beyond providing activities and assignments that were both fun and challenging.
Overall though the roll that I think is the most important is the role of a "Friend". Often times I felt intimidated by certain teachers and was afraid to ask for help. I feel that if a teacher makes her main goal being a friend to the students they will respect her, love her and hopefully be more willing to open up to her. When the relationship between a student and teacher is comfortable, I think you are more able to understand the students learning needs and if they are having difficulties, hopefully they will be easier for the teacher to notice and the child will be more comfortable to approach the teacher to ask for help. I also feel that the relationship between the student and teacher helps create a stronger relationship between the teacher and parent and again will help keep communication open and honest.