Unconditional positive regard carries much value. It embodies the attitude of "I care about you. You have value. You don't have to do anything to prove it to me..." This mindset allows educators to see a student as a whole, worthy person regardless of what stage or condition they come to you. Care isn't earned, it is given automatically. Unconditional positive regard in practice involves getting to know our students. This could include knowledge about their interests, strengths, favorite tv shows, sports, etc. Educators should find ways to make a connection to their students.
As an educator, I always try to greet my students at the door when they arrive to class and be their first contact point. This is a way for me to gauge where they are mentally even before they enter the room. A few years ago I had a student that was extremely quiet in class and rarely participated. I would always check in with her and see how her day was going. There were certainly days where I realized learning social studies was not going to happen and she needed space to process whatever was going on in her life. With time, she began to open up and discussed what was going on at home. As a mother and teacher, I was in awe of how my student handled such incredible setbacks with much grace and poise.
Before she graduated last year, she came to see on the last day and thanked me for being her "school mom" and "person" that was always in her corner. I did not realize that those daily check ins and free periods where she ate lunch in my classroom was a way for her to feel safe at school. This affirmed that small acts of kindness can go such a long way!
As an educator, I always try to greet my students at the door when they arrive to class and be their first contact point. This is a way for me to gauge where they are mentally even before they enter the room. A few years ago I had a student that was extremely quiet in class and rarely participated. I would always check in with her and see how her day was going. There were certainly days where I realized learning social studies was not going to happen and she needed space to process whatever was going on in her life. With time, she began to open up and discussed what was going on at home. As a mother and teacher, I was in awe of how my student handled such incredible setbacks with much grace and poise.
Before she graduated last year, she came to see on the last day and thanked me for being her "school mom" and "person" that was always in her corner. I did not realize that those daily check ins and free periods where she ate lunch in my classroom was a way for her to feel safe at school. This affirmed that small acts of kindness can go such a long way!