INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
One thing that I've found to be especially important in my new placement is to have interpersonal skills, but in a way that I haven't really had much practice in. All of my classes that I teach are Grade 11 and below, so its important for me to have good KID interpersonal skills. Its so easy for me to have a conversation with someone my age, or even an adult or elderly, but never do I really get the chance to speak to those who are younger than me.
At first I found it somewhat difficult to relate or talk with some of the kids because I really don't know what kids in high school are like these days. For the most part I just introduced myself in the first class I taught in and not much other talking was done with the kids. I didn't see a problem with it at first, until I was left alone with the kids while the teacher had to leave the room.
Over the past couple of weeks, I've found myself really trying to make a connection with the kids and making sure I join in on the games they play or lessons they're taught. I've found the most effective way for them to engage with me is if I'm very energetic in class! Kids love a little bit of extra energy and they think its funny to some degree. I like to think it helps them get through a boring class or boring day, as someone giving off energy always used to help me through high school.
For the remainder of my time there, I am going to continue to try and talk to the kids more on a personal level, and maybe even try to remember all of their names! I think if I continue the path I'm on, I believe I will see more success in this placement
Word Count: 321
Jacob Girard
Hey Jacob,
ReplyDeleteI’m glad to see your finding a useful skill that will be able to help you in the field one day. It must’ve made you feel old when you didn’t know how to relate to some high school students just a couple of years younger than you. I find that being your age, and kids that age still have a lot in common, maybe try talking about ripping the fort to strike up a conversation. I wish you the best of luck with improving your interpersonal skills and try not to show them up to hard in gym class, they are younger then you after all.
~ Noah Duva
Word Count: 113