MARY ALTMAN

Teachers, administrators, parents, families and the entire RISD community all have one very important thing in common: we each want the best for students. As an educator, I have witnessed hundreds of students experiencing personal and academic growth each year. Parents can help teachers ensure student success with their own actions, which are crucial for a child’s personal and academic growth.

Create a Safe Environment to Try and to Fail

In class your students may hear me use the phrase, “I love you, but I’m not going to help you, yet.” When our students say they don’t know, we must remind them that they just don’t know, yet. They need to give themselves a chance: to use their notes, their resources, their strategies. More often than not, they’re able to take a step in the right direction. If students try but fail, part of our job is help them realize that failure is simply a part of the process. We learn from every error and we take that knowledge and move forward. By creating a safe space where taking risks and failing is encouraged and accepted, we empower students. We show them how capable they are and how to take that first step without fear.

Create Experiences

A lifelong love of learning is not built from textbooks and routine notes, but rather through experiences that make learning engaging and memorable: singing, dancing, movement, art (yes, even in math!), technology, robotics and so much more. Students in my classroom are exposed to new skills such as coding or using apps like Keynote, GarageBand, or iMovie that will be additions to their toolbox for the future. These experiences create a true, deeper understanding of information and an excitement to learn as students use their content knowledge to solve problems and apply their learning. Take any opportunity to have a fun learning experience with your family. Be open to new ways of exploration. Use your learners’ interests as an avenue to show and teach them new things. When we create experiences, we make learning accessible to all and encourage learning inside and outside of the school day.

Teach Collaboration

In today’s world, students are using technology more than ever. Although it can absolutely serve a purpose and benefit students in their learning, we have to remember to teach students the skills of collaboration and communication, both verbal and written. Not only do they need to practice formulating thoughts and sentences beyond texting or Instagramming, but they also need to practice working with others.

Sometimes we need to take students away from their screens and teach them how to communicate with one another. By putting students in a situation where they must work together and collaborate with others to reach a common goal, we are giving them a skill that will follow them no matter what they choose to pursue in their future.

Encourage a Love of Reading

It’s true: I am a math and science teacher. However, I believe that encouraging a love of reading is arguably the most important item on this list. We often hear students say they don’t enjoy reading, to which we respond that they just haven't found something they enjoy, yet. It is our job as educators, parents, family members, and community partners to support the literacy of every student.

You can read with your students or talk to them about what they are reading. Let them see you reading or talk to them about something you may be reading. Allow children to choose any books that they are excited about reading. Reach out to your school or local library for recommendations of a new genre or for more books in a genre your student loves. Reading is the foundation for every skill and every avenue students will encounter. By fostering a love of reading, we are supporting their personal and academic growth.

Be Their Biggest Cheerleader

My favorite part of my job is my role as cheerleader. No matter what, my students know that they are loved and cared for every single day. When students feel cared for, they love being at school, they are motivated, and they are comfortable. Despite any grades, scores or extracurricular activities, the most important thing is for students to be happy and to know they are loved. If they stumble or make a mistake, we are there to encourage them. If they need extra help or need to be challenged, we meet them where they are. If they are having a tough day and need a listening ear or a hug, we are there to offer it. Our job as educators and as a community is to be the biggest cheer squad for students. When they know we see how wonderful they are, they believe it too, and that is when real growth happens.