Fostering engagement and enthusiasm in your classroom is no easy feat. Especially when traditional teaching methods fail to capture your students' attention. Aaron Daenell, a seasoned educator, shared his insights on non-traditional teaching techniques in a recent episode of CERTIFIED: JVIDÊÓƵ's Educator Podcast. His strategies focus on relationship building, curriculum flexibility, and creating a dynamic learning environment that resonates with today's students. Read on for ideas to help create your most engaged classroom yet.
Status: Engaged (learners)
One of the most significant barriers to student involvement is apathy, a challenge that Daenell tackles head-on. How? By prioritizing relationship building. He emphasized, "Your kids are not going to succeed... without you knowing who they are." In a world where students crave connection and understanding, establishing strong relationships is crucial to fostering a sense of belonging and motivation. Daenell acknowledged the pressure of curriculum requirements but advocates for putting students first. He shared, "I have deviated from the plan, but I knew that’s what my students needed that day."
By focusing on relationships early in the semester, you can create a supportive environment where students feel valued and understood, paving the way for deeper connection with the curriculum.
Gratifying goals
Once you students feel connected and engaged, it’s time to paint a vision of what you hope to accomplish together. Teaching your students the value of long-term goals is essential. Daenell employs a strategy of setting short-term goals and gradually extending them, helping students develop patience and perseverance. "Start with short-term goals and baby steps, and then you start stretching them out,” he said.
Are your students tackling their goals, both short and long-term? Time to celebrate! Celebrating achievements, no matter how small, is another key aspect of Daenell's approach. "Make them know that you appreciate what they've done,” he noted “A pat on the back, a high five, a thank you." Recognizing students' efforts fosters a sense of accomplishment and encourages them to continue striving for success.
Break down the walls of your classroom
You want your students to feel empowered and excited in your class. But what about all their other classes and teachers? Extend the walls of your classroom and get other teachers involved too!
Daenell collaborates with other teachers to create projects that span multiple subjects, providing students with a holistic learning experience. Talk to the history teacher about what the students are learning and use that subject matter for their next PowerPoint project. Connect with the math teacher about how your students can use Excel to perform important calculations. You’ll help students see the value in what you teach and minimize their homework load. Not bad for a day’s work.
Time to get engaged
You’re focusing on what truly matters—student engagement and empowerment. You can create lasting impact that extends beyond the classroom. Ready to learn more from Mr. Daenell? Hear his other ideas for getting students excited about learning on the CERTIFIED Podcast .