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How Listening to Students Can Help Schools to Improve

(Pedro A. Noguera)
Annotation #4
Questions:
Is the problem that teachers just dont listen to students?
I ask this question because it sounds that the teacher community just
stops listening to their students. Or, the old traditional student teacher
relationship has created a teacher relationship norm that teaches
teachers keep away from getting close to your students. Its not worth
the effort to get involved more than one has too.
Does the size of a school really matter?
Throughout the article small schools and large schools all have problems.
The only difference is that small schools have more of an opportunity to
listen to their students verses the large schools that may not have the
time to listen because the population of students just do not allow one on
one focused attention.
Why is reform in America so taboo?
High schools and middle schools seem to hold a positon of isolation from
its students and communities that surround them. Its not enough that
teachers must change their way of conducting student teacher
relationships. Additionally, how schools are perceived in communities
must change, especially in urban areas where schools can expand their
academic reach and relationship.
Reaction:
This article has inspired me to become more aware about building better
relationships with my students. I want to use their perspective and voice as an
asset in my classroom teaching and management. I believe that to change any
culture or tradition, one must start in their classroom by first practicing what
one plans to preach. This article has shown me that teachers need to stop being
complacent with education. Teachers need to come alive again with a desire to
matter in the lives of their students and not stay motivationally deprived from
wages, administration politics, and traditional ways of doing things.
Connections:
As a student, I remember the classes that mattered more to me were the
classes that teachers had invested their attention in me. The time a teacher
spent listing to me, made me feel as if I mattered. This interest created an
interest in what my teacher was trying to teach me. The classes that I excelled
in were those where teachers gave me an ear.
Restatements:
After reading How Listening to Students Can Help Schools to Improve, I come
to the conclusion that teachers need to stop ignoring the fact that they need to
give more time to their students. This can be as simple as just listening and
implementing students suggestions. Its not a matter of size, its just a matter
of time listening to students. It says a lot when students suggest that teachers
be more prepared and educated themselves on what they are teaching. It
sounds to me that teachers are providing traditional mediocracy in engaging
students over providing approaching students in a meaning full manner.

Applications:
As a teacher I will work hard to be organized and prepared to teach with
excitement, knowledge, and suggestions. This will provide me the ability to
create time for my students to ask question and give suggestions. I want to be
available to my students not just in their education but in their lives. I believe
that my influence in my students lives is not just as a teacher but also as a
mentor because the students spend the majority of their young life in the
classroom.

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