Today I learned about many gray areas when teaching students. These grey areas have to deal with what students are going through and how to approach them in a "crisis." One great area is emotional impacts students have such as domestic violence. One in five children are exposed to domestic abuse. Students sometimes open up to a teacher about what's going on in their household if they are comfortable with their teacher.
To help children open up to teachers, we should reach students on an emotional level. We should use mindfulness when they reach out to us. Whenever domestic violence happens most students believe it is their fault. This is where teacher's have to say that it is not their fault. Sometimes students ask themselves if they should call 911 on a parent, would the parent be disappointed with him or her. If this is said to a teacher the teacher must say back that this is not their fault and it is about if they feel safe in the environment. If a student does not feel safe in the environment then 911 is one of the best options.
Students tell teachers if their is a domestic abuse going on differently when they grow up. In elementary students tell through drawings they do, while high school students tell if they have a trusting relationship with you. The bottom line is to reach students on an emotional level, be trustworthy, and always ensure them that it is not their fault.
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ReplyDeleteHi Jake,
ReplyDeleteI was quite surprised as a parent to find out the statistics on domestic violence, but perhaps I shouldn't be. I believe this was a great seminar that should have further development and be required of pre-service teachers. I found the information helpful, though I felt the crisis counselor who was present may have been more useful in explaining how to deal with initial conversations. Or in how to respond when you're caught off guard...I don't know if it's something that is thought of on a regular basis but certainly something that should be thought of prior to being in that situation. I'm glad they raised awareness of the many kinds of issues facing children and the different ways in which they cope with them.