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This is re-posted from my Instagram account. I wrote this during my COVID quarantine in Germany when I had time to reflect on how I would use this experience once I returned home to my students.
This is my adenium (desert rose) bonsai. I am not an expert but my interest in Japanese culture made me want to learn about how to trim my adenium into a bonsai. Fast forward to last May when I had to proctor two exams for one of our ESE students. His level of anxiety was through the roof and at one point during our first session as he sat on the floor in a fetal position, wrapped in his hoodie, I was not sure he would be able to finish testing. As I was looking for ways to calm him I happened to mention my bonsai and that seemed to snap him out of his panic episode. Latching at the opportunity, I took my phone out and showed him the picture. As we spoke I realized we both shared a love for Japanese culture and bonsai. He calmed down and was ready to test. The next day we connected over a similar topic and even though he was anxious he was still eager to do a good job so that we could chat some more after the test.
This may not seem like a huge deal for me as a teacher but for that student, it was a make-or-break moment. Without that meaningful connection at that crucial moment, that student may not have been successful.
As I use my time in quarantine to reflect on my Fulbright field experience in Germany so far I keep going back to the question of how will I turn these experiences into meaningful connections with my students. I will definitely be exploring that idea in my next blog post. Stay tuned! (June 22, 2022)
Today, as I re-read what I wrote that day in June another thought comes to mind, the fact that if I had not had that learning experience of reading about the art of bonsai and growing and taking care of my own bonsai I wouldn't have been able to connect with that student and the outcome that day would have been very different. As if to confirm this after I posted this on my Instagram account I received the following comments from a former student:
"[Mrs. Rodriguez] I also kept all the cards and postcards you sent. I still have every single one and I will never throw them away. They made me feel special and like I was a friend, not just a number in the school system. Thank you for everything.
This is why I will always remember you as one of my favorite teachers! I have experienced these meaningful connections with you many times firsthand. And like this student, many times they were make-or-break moments. School is incredibly stressful, especially high school. But it’s teachers like you who make the experience so much better. I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t my teacher in high school. You were one of the first [people] I met in high school. You helped to calm my nerves about starting high school and you never stopped. Phone calls were always personal and you made MNN (one of the clubs I sponsored) the highlight of my week. I am where I am today because of teachers like you. Thank you for all that you have done for me and every one of your students. :)"
So how do you plan on sharing your experiences with your students and find that chance for a meaningful connection?
So how do you plan on sharing your experiences with your students and find that chance for a meaningful connection?
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