Steve Senf ssenf@ed.sc.gov 803-896-0346 Building Connections Steve Senf ssenf@ed.sc.gov 803-896-0346

Who is this guy and what does he know? Maybe not much.

Why do we need to connect with students? We are teachers. We teach subjects…to people. Without people we have nothing to teach. We have to connect with our students, make them feel valued, safe in their ideas.

Which are more difficult to work with? Who are our students? The popular Kids The Smart Kids The bored and unmotivated Which are more difficult to work with?

First day of class introductions Self introduction and background Handshake and welcome knowing their names! Name game What do you want to learn Not only am I learning who they are but they may be learning who they are if no one has ever asked First day of class introductions

We have to treat everyone the same…differently We have to treat everyone the same…differently. Find out who they really are. What do they truly aspire to be, not what others expect of them. Matt Duckett: baseball, scholarship, quit

A special group, The victims Victims come in many forms. They have been victims of crimes, injustice or unfairness. How do we know? How do we connect?

Molestation Suicide Sudden move Violent crime Neglect Family issues Other events

Strategies for connecting A: Worksheets 2: Writing “assignments” Weekly Check-in Current Events Strategies for connecting

We do not always agree with everything, but we should always agree that we are all human beings and deserve to have someone in our corner You never know when or how you will “connect” with someone. Be nice

I strongly recommend not connecting with students on social media Never discuss students, especially negatively on social media or ever, they may hear about it Do not listen to other teachers negativity about students Speak up for the students. They may hear about it Extra

Strategies of your own to share with us? Marginalized, reach-out, everyone is good at something-FIND IT!, PEOPLE

Steve Senf ssenf@ed.sc.gov 803-896-0346