Reflection Of The Autoethnography Of A Master's Life

Frymier, A. B., & Houser, M. L. (2000). The teacher student relationship as an interpersonal

As every individual is unique, getting to understand the students’ characteristics, knowledge and cultural background are essential requirements for encouraging their development and learning (Arthur, Beecher, Death, Dockett & Farmer, 2012). In order to achieve the above requirements, a strong and positive relationship with students is the effective way for teachers to build up a holistic picture of a student (Groundwater-Smith, Ewing & Le Cornu, 2015a; Nixon & Gould, 2005). The various recorded interactions and observations between teachers and students made during the professional experience, have helped me to understand how students learn and have strengthened my ability to plan and implement lessons (Arthur et al., 2012).

Forming and maintaining positive relationships within a school setting is of great importance. To have good relationships with pupils, staff and parents is not only beneficial to the school but also to pupil’s achievement.

‘A Talk to Teachers’ by James Baldwin published on December 21, 1963 is a very brave and direct message to teachers on how they are contributing to the prejudice in society during that time period. Baldwin’s tone in this essay shifts frequently however, the constant tone that enhances his purpose of this essay is urgency. Baldwin’s urgency to make teachers change the prejudice view on “negros” and the false history that is being taught about African Americans. For he refers to it as “any negro who is born in this country and undergoes the American educational system runs the risk of being schizophrenic.”

However, within the teaching role, there must be a clear boundary regarding ‘the relationship’. You are the leader, the one with the knowledge of the subject matter. Therefore, you should be ready to teach all students, and become involved in their ‘study life’ whilst maintaining and appropriate distance from their ‘out of study life’.

Today, teachers strive for the creation of positive and influential learning environments for all students. Moreover, they aim at increasing children’s chances of succeeding. They constantly re-evaluate their teaching strategies for educational improvement of students. Teachers create supportive and respectful school environment that makes students strive for more prosperous and eventually rewarding lives. According to Deborah Tannen, the teacher’s encouraging and

Alexander begins with the myths provided towards slavery in the United States, and how African American weren't exactly free. Although great changes occurred at the time, whites did not feel the need to adapting to the new law. African Americans were always considered a suspicion since their arrival to the United States, as racism is still a large issue to this day even with the success of Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama. Alexander continues by stating the social system of blacks, as they were always considered a much lower ranking than whites. White privilege plays a role, as blacks were considered a source of inexpensive labor

From the perspective of students, positive student/teacher relationships are important in their schooling (Bernstein-Yamashiro and Noam, 29). These relationships are important because it gives students more motivation to come to school and to try harder in class (Bernstein-Yamashiro and Noam, 33). Some example of positive student/teacher relationship includes extra help, encouragement, motivation, learning their identity, how to form and maintain professional relationships, and develop socio-emotional skills (Bernstein-Yamashiro and Noam, 2013). Not only do students do well when they have positive relationships, teachers also benefit from them as they are satisfied when students put effort into their work (Bernstein-Yamashiro and Noam, 35). It is cited that a lack of connection to caring adults in school is a variable of alienation, failure, and dropout (Bernstein-Yamashiro and Noam, 17).

I've decided to do my project on my DRE-098 teacher whose name is Jayce Russell. Mr. Russell teaches at RCC and he does many other things that go with teaching like grading and going to meetings and helping students the best way he can. He said he decided to pursue this career because it let him get the degrees he wanted and he says it takes advantage of communication skills and a chance to help others and make a difference. He believes that by forming relationships in college is you get to meet new people who change the way you think about things and you have similar interest with them. His advice for students is to be open and take advantage of everything that’s offered to the students like the library, the ARC and office hours that teachers

I was also, intrigued by Alexanders view on the war and drugs and it's relation to the African American community. African Americans are punished longer for the same crimes that whites commit, are likely to be critiqued for it longer as well. She further elaborates by explaining how black children are now raised by by single parents, due to the mass imprisonment of black fathers. The aftermath includes being "...denied the right to vote, automatically excluded from juries, and legally discriminated against in employment, housing, access to education, and public benefits, much as their grandparents and great-grandparents were during the Jim Crow era"(pg). In other words it can be clearly seen that blacks are selected and targeted, this system

She points out how today’s incarceration problem in the African American community is just history repeating itself. American was build on racial control Alexander shines light on the Bacon’s Rebellion. It was after Nathaniel Bacon led an attack on the elite he openly condemned the rich for their oppression of

Today in classrooms there will be any students that come from different backgrounds. It is the teacher’s reasonability to make sure that each student feels welcoming in the classroom whether they come from a different background or not. Teachers need to make sure that they know their students and were their students come from. By doing this the teacher can create relationships with their students and the teacher can use that information to incorporate in the classroom.

In recalling my favorite teacher, I have questioned many times what it is that I remember about this person the most. In my case, it was that this teacher showed a genuine interest, in my work, in my interests and in my being. As Danielson (2007:28), illustrates, it is only when students remember their teacher’s years later, that ‘students find themselves recalling the warmth and care their favorite teachers demonstrated, their high expectations for achievement, and their commitment to students’. Arguably, the exclusive teacher-student relationship is constructed on the central human need of knowing another person cares, which lay at the heart of student’s development and learning. (QUOTE). While I did not recognize the significance of building relationships with students until, almost two years into my role as a voluntary teaching assistant. I now consider the most essential role that educational practitioners can ensure, is to develop relationships with their students. My understanding is confirmed by Noddings (2005:17) who states ‘caring is a way of being in relation’. Suggesting that perhaps it is not what you teach these students, but rather, whether or not you let them know you care.

Next, we will discuss the teacher subculture of a school environment. Teachers are an important “subculture since they make the most contact with students” (Ballentine & Hammack, 2012, p. 216). The culture that is set by the teacher impacts the learning process by either helping students thrive or be unsuccessful. Also, the subculture that includes teachers can be further broken down into grade levels, content areas, or length of service. For instance, an inexperienced teacher will not immediately be included in the subculture of seasoned teachers. It will take time for him/her to be accepted into that subculture. A new teacher who tries to be too friendly to students may receive sanctions from

When I think about my role as a teacher, one of the most important things I consider is the relationships I build with my students, parents, colleagues, and community members. In the classroom, I need to ensure that I create a safe, loving, and positive learning environment. In order to make all students feel welcome, I get to know their names, the correct pronunciation and spellings, learning their culture and background, and their