Classroom vs. Specials

Ready, set, compare: Specials teacher vs. classroom teacher

1. As a classroom teacher, by week 10 (this week) you've learned all your students' names. If you call a kid by the wrong name, it's only because you say some names more often than others.

As a specials teacher, you still call that kid "Charles" just because he resembles the real Charles or you don't actually know who the real Charles even is.  The kids' faces start to all look the same…seriously an issue!

2. Classroom teachers have met parents for most of the kids! They are not all recognizable, but you are only human!

Specials teachers, "parents?!? Who are they?!?" 

3. Classroom teachers have spent approximately 200 hours with their class.  No wonder they are pushing each other's buttons. 

Specials teachers have been with each child 9 hours, if they've never been absent.  Anybody can handle nine hours sporadically.

4. Classroom teachers have ownership over one class. The class may frustrate you to no end, but they are still "your kids."  If someone messes with "your class" they have to mess with you. 

Specials teachers, well we can claim 650 but since we still don't know their names and our door is a revolving one…Let's just say, I've adopted a class!

5. Classroom teachers' anxiety is rising, pressures are weighing heavy!

Specials teachers are just here, and chill.

6. Classroom teachers have written a bazillion lesson plans and have taught 3/4 of them. 

Specials teachers have written 50 lesson plans and taught all of them 5 times! 

Both jobs are equally important and both jobs have MAJOR perks. Some days I love the freedom I have as a specials teacher and other days I miss the lack of relationships I had with "my kids."  All I know is that I love both jobs.  The hardest part for me this year is the lack of relationships with one set of kids.  How do I know triggers for motivation and triggers for shut downs?  How do I know what they like to do outside of school? Some days I long to just take my class outside and read!  Or go play on the playground and swing with kids.  What can I do in 55 minutes a week to build a relationship with 20-25 students?!?

At our last faculty meeting we had a presentation on building relationships with kids. By the end of the faculty meeting, I made a decision: just because I am a specials teacher doesn't mean I can't have ownership over the kids I teach.  I can and will build positive relationships with as many of the students as I can.  In fact, I get to have relationships with more kids and the relationship will be carried over multiple years.  It was at this point, I made a decision to stop having a pity party and fix the problem.

So here is what I'm doing…
* Claiming ALL the kids I teach as my kids!  Claiming all the classes I have as mine! OWNERSHIP…it does wonders.
* Before the kids get started with their projects, we share good things.  I am learning so much about all the students who pass through my room.  (I always did this in the regular ed classroom, why can't I do it now?)

* I find one kid in the class that looks like they could use a conversation and talk with them during their class.  Sometimes I carry that over after class or later in the day.  I've already seen a difference a little time with a kid can make.
* I make a point, to wander through the cafeteria during breakfast or lunch a couple times a week to talk to students.
* I'm working with two small groups of fifth graders.
* I adopted a class…a big thank you to that teacher for sharing (I know sometimes it is hard to share "your kiddos")!
* I'm beginning a tech club with a group of students.

It is important for both regular classroom teachers and for specials teachers to claim the kiddos that pass through their doors.  To claim them and feel attached you must know something about the students.  Most of our students need to be claimed and loved by more than just one person in our building.  This means regular classroom teachers have to allow others to help and others must be willing to help.  It takes a whole village to raise a kid and it takes a whole school to show kids we love them.  

So I end this post with one question...What are YOU doing to build relationships with kids? Whether you are a regular classroom teacher or a specials teacher, I'd love to hear about different ways you are getting to know the students.   It is the most important part of our job as teachers and it leaves a lasting impression whether the relationship is positive or negative!