Center of Gravity 1. most importantly, build relationships with your students. learn about their lives. share about yours. talk about the Oakland A’s. your brothers. how you yourself never volunteered to speak up in high school unless the teacher called on you. avoid talk about your love life though, even if students meddle and try to hook you up with their single aunt or the science teacher across the hall. ask about their weekend, the new hot dance they learned. really read that hunger games book before comparing notes about favorite scenes. ask how her fasting is going during ramadan. how’s his cousin who got shot, how’s her mom who has cancer. be a warm and approachable adult in their lives, they’re depending on you. 2. most importantly, establish your authority in the room. you are the adult responsible for educating thirty-‐five students. it’s precious time for every kid, not just for addressing the needs of one or two. don’t let a kid derail your whole lesson, not fair to everyone else ready to learn. minimize distractions students bring from other classes, the hallway, the playground, the street. stay off your soapbox and focus on the content your students need to master this year. keep personal stuff out of the classroom. leave baggage at the door and teach. be a solid and consistent adult in their lives, they’re depending on you. 3. most importantly, find your center of gravity. get your footing, your balance. your students are depending on you.
David S. Maduli is a veteran public school educator, Community Poetics Fellow at Mills College, and father of two.