Fostering Identity Safety in School
was an interesting article that I found in the Edutopia Technology blog. It
caught my attention because I had just finished watching a documentary where
teenage girls had been cyber bullied and harassed in their school. In order for
us to foster that safe environment for our students, we need to make them feel
that they are important because of who they are. This can only be done when we
go above and beyond and not only teach students that bullying is wrong because
it breaks a rule, but teaching them values. Students need to feel empathy for
others, regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, religion, etc. Students need to
respect others, even if they don’t agree with them. They need to learn how to
be kind and honest.
This article covers steps to deal
with bullying and since bullying is sometimes based on biases, I think this is
the first step. We need to teach tolerance and understanding. Students need to
realize that not everyone is the same and that they can learn from each other.
Teachers need to model this behavior, and the values. After all, students are
always watching teachers interacting with other adults, and how they interact
with other students. This is a huge effort that needs to be made, but it is for
the well being of not only the students but everyone who belongs to that community.
No one really wants to fail, but it
is an important step in the learning process. This is what they teach the
performing arts students at New Mexico School for the Arts. Students are
reminded constantly since day one that it is not the end of the world if
mistakes are made. Making mistakes is part of the process and it allows for
constructive criticism that will enable students to learn how they can improve.
They are also taught that taking risks is how they can expand their abilities.
They remind the students that it doesn’t matter if they can do great the first
time or over time with practice and feedback, as long as it is done because in
the end, taking risks will payoff. In
this school, students are taught that they need to appreciate this feedback and
not let their feelings get hurt. They are encouraged to write down the feedback
in a journal so that they can remember it and apply it later. Teachers need to
be specific about where improvement is needed but also need to provide
successes. Students need both in order to better themselves.
I found that both articles provide suggestions to foster that safe learning environment that students need so that they can succeed. It is important for us show them that it is okay to be different. They also need to understand that making mistakes is part of the learning process and so is taking risks. Students learn to accept these and receive feedback on how to be better; at the same time they are also learning how to provide positive feedback to their classmates. These steps bring us closer to creating that identity safety in the school because students will feel safe and comfortable even if mistakes are made.
Claudia,
ReplyDeleteI feel that you and I are very like minded. How appropriate for you to choose an article on bullying, as October is Bullying Prevention Month! I too wrote on the Embracing Failure article because it is all about teaching children accountability and being responsible for their actions. Learning to take constructive criticism is important for all of us. Your comment about teachers modeling appropriate behavior on how they treat one another is absolutely true. If we can't model the correct approach, how in the world can we expect the students too? Great insight!
Linda
Hello Claudia,
ReplyDeleteThe blogs your read are very interesting. It is very true how technology could be a life saver to where it could also be used to harm others even leading to fatal ending. One of the things that most districts are opting to do is to conduct cyber online safety. This trainings are targeting the bully and the danger of young students connecting to people they should not chat or interact. This at least can minimize the bullying and the negative uses that happen in today's technological world. Thank you for sharing your ideas as the safety of students should always be a priority.
It's interesting that you mentioned the first blog called "Fostering Identity Safety in School", as this is bully awareness month. I have been talking about bullying to my classes throughout this week, and they are very interested and engaged when I do so. I feel this blog will assist me in my lectures and help my students get more information on bullying as well. The second blog you mentioned is very interesting, as students do need to embrace failure in order to succeed. Students are too pampered sometimes, they are kept from failing, not realizing that failing is completely normal and part of success.
ReplyDeleteHi Claudia, you are right teachers, students, and school administrators need to be aware of school safety. Cyber bullying has become a big problem for students. I think that is also the parent’s responsibility to provide good values to children. Unfortunately, we see this kind of behaviors everywhere and students get used to see this and think that is normal. The inclusion of art can help students perform different activities that they can enjoy.
ReplyDelete