Genuine Caring

Submitted by Kimberly (not verified) on March 22, 2008 - 12:58.

Teachers sometimes demonstrate their caring in an unhealthy way. Caring can become an obsession but at the same time caring is a natural part of teaching. We "care for" our students but we cannot always "take care" of them (Kottler, Zehen, Kottler 2005). It's important for our caring to be genuine (Kottler, Zehen, Kottler 2005). As was pointed out by Karl Hartung, one of the ways to do this is to celebrate success publicly. In order for a student to obtain success our caring must provide the "the appropriate amount of support, structure, and expectations they need to be self-directed, responsible learners (Kottler, Zehen, Kottler 2005). I would also like to add that it's important to note that the caring must not only be from teacher to student and vice versa. Caring needs to extend from student to student as well. If you listen carefully to your students can you see this happening?

Kottler, J. A., Zehm, S. J., & Kottler, E. (2005). On being a teacher: The human dimension (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

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