Stacy Kearns
I am an AACPS: Teacher, Severn River Middle School | 2020 Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist
Adolescence is a challenging time for many students. Adolescence can also be a time of immense personal growth. Our job as educators is to prepare students to participate as constructive members of society. Unfortunately, this task is an impossibility unless students possess a conviction that their beliefs and ideas are significant. Teachers can facilitate this process by portraying a positive message to students that their thoughts and feelings are of considerable worth. To do this, educators need to make time in their ever packed day to allow opportunities for students to express themselves, ask questions, and share personal triumphs and tribulations. These occurrences often extend beyond the traditional class period into lunch or after-school hours, but are always worth the results.
Students that are encouraged to take risks and explore concepts are more likely to develop a deeper understanding and a lifelong passion for learning than those that are simply prompted to learn the material for a test. In order for this to occur with fidelity, educators need to provide time for students to wrestle with difficult concepts. In my classroom, reading numerous articles allows us an opportunity to delve into various societal issues. Students love to discuss, debate, and relate text to their own lives through Socratic seminars and Philosophical Chairs. Participating in these types of rich discussions allows students to learn how to articulate their own viewpoints, but also teaches them to consider others’ viewpoints; both of which are critical components of student growth. In addition, giving students opportunities to collaborate, build community, and even express themselves creatively when conveying their understanding of a topic all make learning more fun and thus more meaningful.
As an educator, we have a vital role to help students reach their full potential. This goal is obtainable if students know they have committed teachers who care about and believe in them. I hope that I am that teacher for those that walk through my classroom each day.
