Joshua Aronson - Knowing Students as Individuals

This article underscores the importance of "at potential students" feeling that they are known and appreciated by their teacher.  For example, model and express curiosity as the students share their work.  Knowing their interests and experiences also informs instructional approaches and materials. 
Developing a curious mindset in class can also be through modeling of probing, higher-level questions is a start.  Open Circle and Responsive Classroom (Advisory) are also good vehicles for interjecting, modeling, and eliciting this type of questioning.

Joshua Aronson cites research by Thomas Dee who found that when students of color and teachers had more opportunity to know each other as individuals, it did not negatively impact how students of color performed on tests, even if the teachers were of a different race than their students.   

Aronson urges teachers to “cultivate a mindset of insatiable curiosity about…students as individuals,” not only for the teacher to learn about his/her students, but also for the students to cultivate a curiosity about their fellow classmates in order to eliminate a classroom culture of “mistrust, separateness and exclusion.”  When teachers and students know each other well, negative stereotypes can be dispelled.  It helps to create a classroom community where students feel included, safe, heard, and validated.  When these crucial pieces are in place, then the work of learning can truly begin.

“Stereotypes are a lazy mind’s best friend, a mental shortcut to save us the trouble of asking and listening.”

Kay Toliver - Math Lessons

Green Thumbs  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovwL50FtvHQ&feature=related

  

The Tinkertoy Derby 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNfwZX1sRog&feature=related

 

The Eddie Files
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEQ0GpUGC0o

Teacher Talk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JKRhaYHxEE&feature=related

Empathy vs. Sympathy

What makes something "better" is connection.
http://www.trueactivist.com/the-difference-between-empathy-and-sympathy-perfectly-explained/?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=antimedia