Thank you for sharing your experiences, both positive and negative. f Your first (negative)
example is quite shocking. f It is interesting how such negative and public experiences in the
classroom can affect one's enthusiasm and willingness to engage in collaborative and public
learning activities. f We are so vulnerable at such a young age, and effective teaching
principles and methods are very important during our formative years. f Reyneke (2020)
conducted an interesting study that explored courage and resiliency for young children in the
classroom. f He suggests, "Teachers could play a vital role in the development of resilience,
primarily through creating a caring educational environment and providing support to
learners, especially when they establish good respectful relationships with them ". I
completely concur with your retrospection that your negative experience entailed a lack of
respect, as defined by Berstein et al. (2020). f I am sure this probably violated your sense of
trust and may have even created some unconscious hesitancy later in terms of volunteering in
the classroom. f This type of shaming of a child could also have disastrous effects beyond the
immediate classroom. f Reyneke (2020) also points out this potential danger or societal ripple
effect, "Children who do not experience belonging feel rejected and look for artificial
methods to compensate. f Gang affiliation, attention-seeking, hypervigilance, being
unattached, loneliness, and distrustfulness are all ways in which children attempt to fill the
need for belonging" (p. 147). f This thought also adds weight and emphasis to what Dr.
Ramirez mentioned in her post about how teaching is a big responsibility that should not be
taken lightly.
f f f f f f f Your positive example is a great illustration of making others feel valued and its positive
ripple effects. f I agree that this is very important in the classroom and for all of life. f Students
need to be encouraged to contribute and discuss their ideas. f During this process, we need to
make them feel safe to do so and communicate that their contributions add value to the
discussion at hand. I am so sorry to hear that teacher made such a negative impact and at such
a young age, she could have easily made you dislike school and be unsuccessful through the
years. f I am glad at least you were able to persevere and keep doing well in school in spite of
her teaching style. f I can relate in regard to strict elementary school teacher, I have some
memories of a few, f I went to elementary school in Puerto Rico where corporal punishment in
school was allowed so I hated going to school a young kid. f According to Bernstein et al.,
(2020) mutual respect and respecting diverse talents and ways of learning is important to
effective teaching and your 1st grade teacher as many of my elementary school teachers failed
in that aspect of teaching. f I’m glad to see you did find a much better college professor that
helped you with the positive side of teaching by being a respectful educator who sounds like
thrives off the rapport he builds with his students. f
References
Bernstein, D. A., Frantz, S., & Chew, S. (2020). Teaching psychology: A step-by-step guide
(Third ed.). f Routledge.
Reyneke, R. P. (2020). f Increasing resilience, lowering risk: Teachers' use of the circle of
courage in the classroom. f Perspectives in Education, 38(1), 144-162. f
https://doi.org/10.18820/2519593X/pie.v38i1.11
