The Impact Of Student Teacher Relationships On Learning And Academic Development

Jennifer Senior discusses her research concerning positive psychology and whether or not happiness is teachable and highlights some of the darker sides of happiness. To start the article, Senior reveals her score on her test from the Authentic Happiness Inventory. The test designed by Chris Peterson of the positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania. This test is intended to numerically score ones level of happiness. In a scale of 1 to 5, Jennifer got a grade of 2.88. This indicated she was below average for most rankings such as “age, education level, gender and occupation” (422). Senior states she is at the 50 percent mark for her given zip code. She stated that liking her

As Connell, White and Johnston (1990,p.9) state, 'There is not a “culture of poverty”, nor any key “deficit” that makes poor people different from everybody else and therefore and educational problem'. Teachers and Education Assistants need to adapt into the culture of poverty and be sensitive and understandable to the extensive bar of needs that children of poverty bring to the classroom and they need to consider the cultural values of these children as they arrange their learning. The basis of Groundwater-Smith, Ewing and Le Cornu's opinions in the article is they position readers to view that the teachers dispositions low income students and that rarely the educators offer the same level or enough aid and attention than the other students and they are less likely to succeed in school when compared with the more advantaged children. According to Groundwater-Smith, Ewing and Le Cornu's and Geoffrey D. Borman and Laura T. Rachuba they both state that students from lower income families may not have as high expectations from their parents, teachers or their peers within the school. The students may also not be confident in their own abilities and

All three illustrations are about happiness revealing a deeper meaning and understanding about why intrinsic happiness matters more than extrinsic happiness. In “How not to get into College”, Alfie Kohn has a legitimate concern about how students–particularly high-school students–let grades control their lives and that they overlook the true experience, or meaning of learning. Alfie Kohn’s line reflects the various problems faced by many

Chapter 10, Section 1 B, Poverty, Marriage and Parenting Problems, discusses how a person's social class, family life or family's attitudes can affect a child's relationship with peers, teachers and others in an educational environment. This section seemed to attract my action because it reminded me of a part time job I had when I was in high school. My job was to be a counselor and a teacher assistant for a summer and spring program called Bain + 2. The author noted that some districts and schools hire counselors to help students or sponsor after school programs for children (Foundations of Education, p. 291). When I worked for Bain + 2, it was an after-school and summer program in the city of Cranston at Hugh B. Bain Middle School. Hugh B.

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).

The researcher determines that having stronger teacher-student relationships can lead to greater social-emotional developments because students feel more comfortable to take risks both socially and academically. Small schools have smaller

In an unofficial poll of students at State University, I found that of the fifty-eight students and one professor, males and females of several ethnic backgrounds and age groups, that I asked the question "What is happiness to you?", all of them had very different physical, intellectual, or emotional motivator for their happiness. Only the

Is the rising poverty rate of America negatively affecting the education of high school students across the nation? Unemployment, parents’ level of education and a profound list that continues has shown to impact a child’s education. In 2013, “a majority of of children attending our K-12 public schools [came] from low-income families” (Suitts 35). Poverty-stricken students are more likely to receive poor grades than those living above the poverty line. What seems to be affecting the grades of these impoverished students? The constant need to support their family financially, physically, and emotionally. Teachers may be unaware that some students face these hardships throughout their daily lives. They need to understand that students of lower socioeconomic statuses may not prioritize homework over taking care of their family during a time of need. Teachers should be more aware to better serve and understand their students. There is crucial evidence that supports that socioeconomic status does affect the education of those living under the poverty line, but some researchers believe that it has no effect on students’ education at all. Teachers should be more aware how socioeconomic status affects the grades of high school students.

Low-income families provide less tax dollars to schools, which directly affects a school’s financial ability to provide resources to teachers and students. Also, larger class sizes could lead to more discipline referrals, which affect the culture of the classroom (Rowley et al., 2011). The role of teachers and family is crucial for student success. A teacher’s ability to show compassion, provide instruction that is relatable, and eliminate discriminatory behaviors, is essential in establishing a classroom culture that promotes learning. Parental involvement in their child’s education is essential, as well. According to Rowley and Wright (2011), “Economically disadvantaged neighborhoods expose children to behaviors and ideals that hinder academic progress” (p.

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.

In 2013, 23.3% of the United States population consisted of children ages 0 to 17, 20% of those children lived in poverty and about 15.8 million children lived in households that were classified as food insecure (America’s Children: Key National Indicators Of Well-being, 2015). Perceptions of students with low socioeconomic status (SES) combined with other circumstances certainly play a role in their development and achievements. SES is conditional, imposed on people, used for comparisons, and based on economics, opportunity, and influence. When considering SES, individuals’ incomes, occupations, education, neighborhood, and political power are took into consideration. A school’s SES is determined by the neighborhood where it is located and by the SES of the children and families in attendance at that school (Socioeconomic Status, 2009).

I’m always caring and empathetic. I’m caring in that I always try to teach my students with kindness in mind. I’m also kind in the way Geneva Gay describes kindness. I’m kind in that I “care so much” (Rychly and Graves, Pg 45, 2012) that I want my students to succeed. I hold my students to a high expectation (Rychy and Graves, 2012). I don’t believe in good learners or bad learners. I know all my students can learn and succeed. So,I expect all my students to meet the learning objectives and milestones. I don’t except excuses for failure. However, I am empathetic in that I can put myself in my student’s shoes and understand what they are going through (Rychly and Graves, 2012). I understand that my students may expect hardships. I try to work with those hardships and challenges. I know that each student has unique experiences that affect their learning. Thus, I empower my

The article states that “existing research suggests that if students have close relationships with their teachers, they tend to display more prosocial behaviors toward

Within the classroom it is important to set a rapport with the students by acting professionally and regulating our emotions in a way that will facilitate a positive classroom atmosphere. By setting classroom limits firmly, with respect and consistency, it allows us to accept the inevitable ambiguity and uncertainty that arises from allowing students to figure out the problem on their own. Through empathy and sensitivity towards the students, it will serve to strengthen teacher-student relationships, as well as the classroom climate and management (Pianta, La Paro, Payne, Cox, & Bradley, 2002 as cited in Jennings & Greenberg, 2009).

The problem in many low-income schools today is discipline. It is not always that students are the cause the problem, but the surrounding environment. When the environment outside the school is violent, disadvantaged, and/or impoverished the coping mechanisms of the residents are not always good. Every so often these coping mechanisms make their way into the schools system. Many times teachers are not trained on how to deal with these issues. They also do not feel supported by their school administration. Low-income schools teacher turnover rate tends to be high and increases through the years. In many of these low income schools parental involvement is low and safety concerns are often high. Teachers are frequently left to look for resources