Chapter 1: Knowing Students Well

Chapter 1: Knowing Students Well


In this chapter the students talked about having a balance with their teachers knowing them well enough to understand how they learn and what teaching techniques work for them, yet not so much that the teachers know everything in their personal life. The most important thing that teachers have to know is what teaching techniques work best for each of their students and how they can make learning interesting and effective. The students also talked about not being judged by their teachers no matter where they lived, what they wore or who their friends were. If a student feels like they are being wrongfully judged by their teacher than focusing and learning in class is going to be that much harder.


I already can tell that I am going to enjoy reading this book. It is very interesting to hear high scholar’s point of view on issues and they are easy to relate to because it wasn’t to long ago that I was one myself. I agree with everything the students said about wanting to have a balance with their teachers. I remember having a math teacher in middle school and although he was a very good teacher and a nice person he was always listening to student’s conversations and liked to know every bit of gossip going on in his students lives. I believe that there has to be a place where you the draw the line in knowing what is happening in a students life. Teachers are not suppose to be "friends" with their students but teachers and students should have respect for one another.