authenticity

"What we're all striving for is authenticity, a spirit-to-spirit connection" - Oprah Winfrey

authenticity, according to dictionary.com, is defined as the quality of being authentic. (for the record I think it is against definition rules that you use the word you're trying to define in the definition). So, I personally define authenticity as being genuine in your actions.

how do you know where your limits are in expressing authenticity in the classroom? I believe that you can bring your own beliefs into the classroom but you shouldn't push those beliefs onto your students. I think it is important that your students know who you are as a person and believe that you're being "real." but I also think it is important that your students know that your classroom is a safe environment where all beliefs and ideas are welcome.

another question this idea about authenticity raises is can you really just be yourself in a classroom? this question has really puzzled me because I want to say, absolutely you can just be yourself. but can you really? in order to aid all children you may have to adapt - and does that mean you change who you are? or pretend to be something you're not? I'm not sure...but I do think that as long as you have the student's best interest at heart you are being genuine and authentic.

compassion

"If you want others to be happy practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." - The Dalai Lama

I grew up in Rosemount, MN - which was a smaller community located near Apple Valley - in the middle of 4th grade my parents decided that we were going to move into the cities because not only would my parents be closer to work, but we would be able to attend a better school. I remember being so upset about leaving Rosemount. I cried for days, especially because I wouldn't get to finish out the year at Shannon Park (my elementary school). I told my teacher Mrs. Leroux and she explained to me that my new school would be great and that I would meet so many new people.

My last day of classes at Shannon Park I arrived to find my entire class had thrown me a surprise going away party - consisting of non latex balloons and cookies. What a nice treat! Towards the end of the day Mrs. Leroux pulled me aside. She gave me her e-mail and phone number and told me I could talk to her anytime I was struggling with the transition, or just had something exciting to share.

I maintained a relationship with Mrs. Leroux until high school. We wrote letters to each other via e-mail and she even came to dinner at my house once to catch up. She made a huge impact on my life just by reaching out to me. I will never forget her and what a truly compassionate person she is.

r-e-s-p-e-c-t

The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I think respect is somewhat of a confusing subject when it comes to the teacher/student relationship. Should teachers work to earn respect from their students? Or are students supposed to immediately show respect to their teachers, because of their "social" status? If a teacher is disrespectful should a student still show respect? or vice versa?

Personally, I agree with Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote. I think the teacher should earn the respect of the student and in turn the student should reciprocate this respect. Like Emerson I also believe that it is the secret to education. This respect between student and teacher in turn creates a safe and comfortable environment where learning can take place.

One of my worst memories as a high schooler was my sophomore math class. I was in the "fast track" class with mostly geniuses (one of which I was not) and was struggling to keep up. My teacher, Mr. Mace, enjoyed the fact that he didn't really have to teach because the majority of the students in the class could teach themselves. I, on the other hand, could not teach myself - and one day proceeded to ask a question about the lesson. Mr. Mace turned to me and said, in front of the entire class, "you've got to be kidding, are you stupid?" I then replied, in shock, "no? I just need some clarification and thought you could help?" Mr. Mace, now realizing that he had actually sounded like a jerk replied, "alright, what would you like to go over..."

Although I know Mr. Mace felt badly for calling me stupid, I will never ever forget that moment in high school. At the time I was extremely embarrassed because I knew that I wasn't as smart as the other kids in the class - but now, as I look back - Mr. Mace was really the one who looked like an idiot when I ended the year with a 95%.

My senior year of high school I was taking calculus. My calc teacher's name was Mrs. Casey and she was inspirational. It was obvious that she was passionate about math, but she also truly cared about her students as individuals. Fall of my senior year one of my friends died in a car accident, it was a horrible event to go through and I was really struggling to cope with the tragedy. One day in class Mrs. Casey pulled me outside and asked me if I was doing alright. I explained what had happened. She then proceeded to talk to me for 15 minutes explaining that if I ever needed someone to talk I could stop by her room anytime. Knowing that my teacher respected me and cared about my well being was such a great feeling.

I think Aretha Franklin sums it up well when she sings, "r-e-s-p-e-c-t find out what it means to me." Respect does have different definitions for different people, different students, and as a teacher it is our responsibility to earn the respect of our students by showing them "a little respect."