The beauty of showing concern

For two years and a half, I have been teaching and my daily schedule has always been go to class, deliver the content prepared for that day and immediately move out. There has neither been time for jokes nor getting to know my students better. Class time has always been class time. In addition, I would not take initiative to find out why a student has missed a lecture or test. After all these are mature people, no need to be on their case. However, the performance and teacher-student relationship was not the best.

So this semester starts, I enter class and decide to dedicate the first 30 minutes to know more about my students, where they come from and why their performance is not good. I could not believe, the impact this put on the class and myself. For the first time, I received a “thank you for lecturing us” from students at the end of the lecture.

Going forward, I view a class room as a place to help students relax so they can learn and get them to buy into how I approach the class. I want my students to grow and see how learning can be connected to things they already know. I purpose to know my students and the lives they live; actively listen to them and get feedback.

In life, it is the smallest caring gestures that often have a huge impact. Every day we live is a day to show one small gesture at a time—from being friendly at work, to yielding for another car in traffic, to showing gratitude to someone who helped us. A kind look can revitalize someone’s day. A hug can bring warmth and strength. It’s the little things that make people feel loved and happy—that empower them to change, to move on, to believe. They’re the things that get noticed, that make a difference, that matter most.