Quite Courageous

Students today are a little more ambitious and courageous when it comes to communicating with their teachers outside of class (in terms of non-academics). I was working through 3 separate dancercise routines (yes, I do dancercise - which by the way I found the most amazing routines on youtube) and I was skyped by one of my students and also facebook chatted by 3 others (all grade 6 students).

They love talking to their teacher. I guess I must have done something right :P. They talk about things going on in their home life, problems they are having with friends and classmates, and just casual conversations. I love talking with my students. They are quite comical and bring an overwhelming simplicity to what can be a complex day.

I think about when I was their age. I wouldn't be caught dead talking to my teachers outside of school. Even if I crossed paths with them in the super market, I felt as if I would disintegrate right on the spot. Poof - and I'd be gone. I have to admit, I enjoy the open communication waves. I feel like the more I allow my students to communicate with me, especially outside of the classroom, the more they trust me.

Sure there's a line between being buddy/buddy and teacher, but I have seemed to find a happy medium that caters to both ends of the spectrum. I am not one of their peers and I recognize this, but time and time again, when there's trouble or problems, who is the first person they come and talk to? Me. I am so thankful that my students find it in them to trust and confide in me. In doing this, our classroom dynamics seem to have blossomed into something spectacular and the Grade 6 is no longer a "class" but a family. There is nothing better than that.