Many will agree that communication is the key to having a successful relationship. Parents, children, teachers and co-workers must maintain open communication in order to progress in life or accomplish a goal. In the article Expectations and Student Outcomes Kathleen Cotton states “that merely holding certain expectations for students has no magical power to affect their performance or attitudes. Rather, it is the translation of these expectations into behavior that influences outcomes” (Cotton, 1989). This statement is true on so many levels. Every situation that occurs, whether good or bad, is the result of some form of translation or communication. Throughout my years of working with students my ideals on student communication have changed drastically. In my first year of teaching I entered the classroom with a dominant attitude. It was my way or the highway. I would not let a child explain their side of the story on certain matters. I quickly found that my students were becoming fearful of me. Instead of respecting me as their teacher they looked at me solely as a disciplinarian. I was not approachable and the problems in my classroom were not going away.
Thinking back on my “great teacher”, I do not remember a time when she ever refused to speak with me or provide me with one on one attention. My relationship with Ms. Luton was based on respect, care, concern and trust. Her lessons were communicated in way that showed that she expected us to succeed. My current position is Dean of Students and I deal with student management and discipline. While dealing with students in a different setting outside of the classroom I am able to really listen to them and their concerns about not being heard as people. It became apparent to me that many times students misbehave because they do not feel that their teacher relates to them as