Lauren's Blog: An Enriched Environment

It is quite important for students to learn respect for others as well as how to follow classroom rules. But students should not forget that they need to abide by standards within the school environment when it comes to academics. I think at my specific school that I am currently working at, it would be best if the school incorporated high standards. At times students forget and are not pushed as much as they could be. It saddens me that students don't always see how smart they are and what they are truly capable of doing. Each child has the potential to do well and succeed, they should never have to think twice about that. As teachers we need to keep students away from the "routine" of just passing and getting by in school. Teachers need to encourage students daily to do their absolute best and help show them that hard work can pay off in the end.

Students need to know that they are capable and they can do it. The encouragement and parental involvement level is very crucial when it comes to creating a demand for hard work. Students want to know that their parents and teachers care about them. By letting students know that you care as a teacher it can really build that student's self esteem and they will learn to push themselves in order to continuously do their best. It can be something as small as a comment or attending an after school event to support that student. It may seem like a small gesture but it goes a long way and students will remember those types of actions. A good way to do this is to always display a positive attitude when around your students and your classroom. If you as a teacher are positive and happy then it will rub off on the children as well. I think my school would benefit from teachers really focusing on creating a welcoming and bright learning environment. Students should grow that want and urge to learn and to obtain knowledge from reading. Teachers can enhance this level of encouragement by putting many posters around the room and hallways with inspiring quotes on them.

Teachers can teach about diversity and how everyone comes from a different background. If teachers do so, this may help students to have a better appreciation for one another. Students need to learn to have respect for one another, I feel that is part of keeping a high standard. High standards should be geared towards actions as well as academics when at school. As stated in, "Building a School Culture of High Standards" by Ron Berger,"Educators everywhere share a goal of creating a learning environment which fosters, demands, and celebrates high standards."