The Emotional Environment

Learning environment is generally understood as physical material tools that we need for our learning. These physical tools can be good quality papers, high quality pen/pencil, an electronic device or a wonderful room full of resources. From my perspective, these aides are supplement or the resources to enhance students learning less to develop sense of positive learning environment for students.

The most forgotten emotional environment is the key to the real success. We need to provide an environment where students feel safe and trusted. The relationship and connection between students and teacher can create emotionally rich learning environment and establish a sense of  "Can do" attitude among students. This relationship can be established by building a classroom community and by developing a one-on-one connection with students. It is not an easy task spending time on building the relationship with the students while concentrating on finishing the curriculum. However, it is worth of time and effort. As explained in the book The power of Inquiry, the relationship between teacher and students is as important as any other relationship and hence it needs regular attention.

Three Strategies that I really like and I always try to use from the book are:

1. Chat to individuals about their lives.

2. Greet each student with their name.

3. Allow students to know you.

From my point of view "Knowing your students" is the first step to understand them from inside out. Everyone's life has ups and down so for giving students trusted and safe environment we need our connection with them. Greeting students with their names, asking about their weekends, praising them for their awesome hair style, asking them what did they eat for lunch today, telling them about your fun and may be your busy day, telling students some of your simple secrets, showing your kids pictures who are same age as them is enough to make a good working connection. That connection can convey them that you are right person to come and ask for any questions and or situations that they may face.

Once we know the students inside out (by knowing their emotional, physical and social needs), it is easy to develop sense of trust. The connection with the students help us know how to support them by asking appropriate questions, directing them to the right directions and boosting them with right acknowledgment.

            The classroom that I am placed for morning math support is one of the best examples of developing emotional environment and building up a community in the classroom. I really appreciate the effort the teacher is making to provide regular attention to the relationship not only between teacher and students but also among students. Every day during the morning meeting, everyone greets each other and share their after school life. Sharing of these moments of life tells me how a particular student is feeling today and that gives me a chance to know them individually.

Currently I am closely working with 5 student in this math class.  Two of them are doing enrichment math with me and other three are struggling to finish the task on time. To understand students' needs and requirements, one had to be equipped with all the gears that one may require to solve the emotional, physical and social problems.

The two enrichment students work as team and are very focused and responsible. After talking about the lesson, I give them time to explore and let them come up with the ideas to solve the problem. I generally help them in learning new concepts and guiding them in right direction. Surprisingly, I don't have to spend a lot of time connecting with them.

The other three students who are struggling with math and finishing their task, the lesson of Emotional Environment comes into play. These kids need trusted and encouraging environment. They want to feel safe and cared everyday especially when they need extra support. They are always keen to hear what I say, how I react and how I encourage them. Every correct answer is one less step towards the goal.

The other example that I can give where I interact and connect with the students is at the learning support AB block. I work with two groups: spelling group (4 students) and a reading group (4 students). These students need enriched emotional environment and a good teacher-student relation to feel and be successful.

I always use my top 5 strengths (Connectedness, Restorative, Achiever, Responsibility, Learner) to establish "Can-do" attitude among students and achieve the required goal. My Strength Connectedness and restorative are definitely helping me to develop working relationship with the students. I am learning each day to be more responsible to support students learning and to see their smiling faces.

There is always lot of learn and explore to be a good teacher who can support and help the students by guiding, inquiring and directing them towards right path.

I truly feel blessed to be part of this journey.