Teacher-Student Interaction Essay -- Persuasive Education Learning Pap

Teacher-Student Interaction Being able to determine what teachers expect from students and what students expect from teachers is the key to creating positive classrooms that work. Teacher-Student interaction is a two way street; The students relate to the teachers, and the teachers relate to the students. If teachers develop and build upon self-esteem and mutual respect within their classrooms, the teachers will achieve positive relationships with the students. Many years ago, power relationships and authority figures in our society were clearly defined. Dad ruled the household; moms and kids complied. Bosses ruled the work-place, and the workers who were brave enough to challenge them would lose their jobs. Within this ranking order students were at the bottom. Students ideas and choices were unimportant, they were not heard. Today, all of this has changed, and every person in this society demands equality. Today we are able to speak up and have our needs and wants recognized. In many cases the college studen t is encouraged and expected to be candid in responding to the teacher's ideas, methods, or words. Teachers have to learn how to sidestep their power and allow student to exercise their own personal power in ways that enhance the classroom atmosphere while at the same time satisfying the students individuality. Teachers must allow the students to contribute to the class group in their own unique ways. A student should be encouraged and given the opportunity to participate in the classroom by voicing his /her ideas in a comfortable and non-pressured classroom. Marc Shachtman, a student from Ohio Oberlin College said, "In a course I took last year a maverick student said he agreed with a supreme court justice's view t... ... to get across, you must first let your message be known. Professors should be able to transmit trust to the students, they should create a comfortable and healthy atmosphere in their classroom by allowing the students to be both reactive and proactive in the classroom. This teacher-student interaction will contribute to a more fulfilling learning experience. Works cited Chenney,Lynne. "P.C:Alive and Entrenched" Lunsford Anfrea and Ruszkiewics John. In the Presence of Others.ed. New York: St. p.113,122 Hooks,Bell. "Keeping Close to Home: Class and education" Lunsford Andrea and John Ru S Ruszdiewics. In the Presence of Others.ed. New York: St. p.89,95 Postman,Neil. "The Word Weavers/The World Makers" Lunsford Andrea and John Ruszdiewics. In the Presence of Others.ed. New York St p.133 Hughes Mearns, Creative Power. New York: Dover Publications, 1958.