When it comes to engagement, you might think that some teachers are born with inherent skills that get kids to buy in, while others have to struggle at every turn. While some factors can be helpful (Are you relatively young? Are you the same gender as the majority of a certain class?), anyone can generate classroom engagement. Here’s how:
Show some interest
This is the first and most critical step. If the kids don’t think you care about them, they won’t care about you—or your objectives.
You don’t have to be a surrogate parent, although some teachers can’t help themselves in that regard. You simply have to be interested in their life. If you work in a school in a neighborhood different from the one in which you live, make it a point to visit the local hangouts. Go to some of the local junior sports events, like Little League or Pee Wee football.
Most importantly, ask them about their day and then listen. You wouldn’t believe how many teachers don’t think to do this simple act. You might be the only person in their entire day that takes this step. It means more than you know.
Keep up-to-date on latest trends
Students are always amazed when their teachers (who they assume to be, like, 100 years old) are familiar with their favorite TV shows, sports teams, and musicians.
You might think that keeping up with these things will make your brain hurt, but it really doesn’t take much. Just tool around on some entertainment websites and watch Sportscenter occasionally. Ask your own children or nieces/nephews what’s cool now. You don’t have to become a fan.
Not only will this buy you some street cred, but you’ll also know part of their code language. That way, when they refer to your hair as “looking like Nicki Minaj’s”, you’ll know not to take that as a compliment.
Creatively leverage this information
A teacher recently made a bit of news for using spoilers from the TV show Game of Thrones as a correction. Knowing her students were obsessed with the show, she told them that she would reveal a person who dies in the show for every bit of unruly behavior. They shaped up.
The knowledge you acquire about them can be used as both the carrot and the stick. Rewards can be as simple as the ability to listen to their favorite (clean) music during classroom transitions. A correction can be listening to your music.
Everything here is about building rapport. With rapport, they will be just as likely to listen to you during instruction as they would be when having these “off the record” conversations.