Head or heart? Close examination of an exemplary teacher reveals, among other things, that they connect with their students on every level. They care about the lives of their young people beyond the classroom and establish the kind of appropriate relationship which generates trust and respect. Doing so enables them to sense almost immediately when something is not right with a student.
While this comes naturally for some teachers, others need more structured encouragement. In many schools, an advisory program has been established where a staff member is assigned to small groups of students. The adult serves as an advisor, mentor, advocate, go-to person for the young people in her/his advisory group. Kids feel there is always someone watching out for them. Advisors soon are able to determine very quickly when a student has an issue, and they reach out to the young person.
Unfortunately in many school districts such an effort is viewed as taking time away from instruction, that cultivation of the mind is what matters, not recognizing and attending to the emotional needs of students. It is the teacher’s job to teach, and the student’s responsibility to learn. In reality, how can any student concentrate on the math lesson when they are thinking about their parent’s divorce? Bullied on the way to school? Abused last night at home? Recent death of a loved one?
Strategies focused on the intentional establishment of caring and nurturing relationships help cut through some of the emotional barriers to learning. The opened gate enable teachers to cultivate the intellectual (cognitive) abilities of their learners. Addressing emotional issues contributes to academic success. Both the head and heart need attention, not one at the expense of the other. The Magic of “AND”!