Meet &
Greet: It’s more than being a hallway monitor
Paul Bailey
2/11/2016
Early in my
teaching career the building administration required all teachers to stand at
their doors in the hallways. This request was to establish an adult presence in
the hallway to monitor student behaviors. Throughout the days of standing by
the door during class change, I started to talk the neighboring classroom
teacher, students as they entered the room, and acknowledging students as they
pass. Pretty soon I realized that some of the information I was able to collect
in 4 minutes could aide in a successful class for every student in my class.
During the ‘Meet and Greet’ that occurred between class change, I was able to
ask students questions about their day, weekend, extracurricular activities,
and/or previous night’s homework.
When I would
ask a kid about their day, I could get insight on their emotional level at the
moment. Some students may be having a bad day, but would not explicitly say
they were. However, over time and through discussions, I would be able to
identify these types of days in students depending upon their responses and
overall demeanor.
-Some students
would answer that they were tired today in class because of late night
athletics, babysitting younger relatives, arguing parents, etc. At this moment,
I would offer the student suggestions on staying awake in my class, “You can
sit in the back of the room and stand when you begin dozing off,” “when you
become tired, sign a pass to use the restroom and get a drink of water,” and
the effective, but not used often by students “if you sit in your desk with one
foot lifted off the ground, you won’t fall asleep as long as the foot is
raised.” I don’t know if the last statement has been proven to be true, but it
kept me awake many mornings in my Wide Area Networking lecture during my undergrad.
It was always helpful to know who the sleepy students were before class so they
were not a spectacle during class. A nodding student would draw attention from
the other students in the class. Effective teachers would need to address a
sleeping student during class. Without a compassionate ‘Meet and Greet,’ the
sleeping student may respond negatively towards the teacher’s request.
-Some students
would inform me they were having a bad day because of a friend or another
student in the school. If both of the disagreeing students were in the class, I
would suggest that the student sit in another seat away from the other student.
This would help for students to feel safe and comfortable learning in my
classroom.
-Sometimes
students would not say anything or even look in my direction when they entered
class. This would alert me to pay attention to that student’s actions during
class to determine their emotional status for that day.
At
extracurricular activities, I would pay particular attention to the students in
my class. The next day I would make it a point to let them know that I noticed
something about their activity, “that was a great solo you had at last night’s
musical,” “you were really battling with that guy/girl underneath the hoop last
night,” “that was a great defensive stop you had on that breakaway,” “the band
sounded great at the game on Friday, what was it like marching in the rain?”
This type of ‘Meet and Greet’ gave me some information on the student’s
emotional status that day, but more importantly it allowed me to bank some
elasticity with the student through the relationship building that conversations
and caring creates. The elasticity needs to be built up because there will come
a day when that student needs to be pushed farther or faster. The elasticity will
help the student(s) to not react negatively towards being pushed, instead the
student will believe that you are pushing for one reason…you care about him/her
and only want him/her to be successful. Elasticity will allow for the student
to bounce back from being pushed and not snap.
“Students
don’t care about how much you know
until they
know how much you care.”
My
recommendation is the use the ‘Meet and Greet’ to start the class on a positive
note. Give out handshakes, fist bumps, high fives, low fives, an acknowledging
nod, or any gesture/comment to let every student know that you notice them. I
hope not, but you may be the only person throughout the entire day to
acknowledge some students.
Multiple Choice
Question: What would you prefer to be the first thing you hear from your
teacher?
A.
Get out your homework
B.
I am glad to see you today
Answer Choice B lets the student know that
you actually want them in class. Some students believe that teachers do not
like them. Imagine how that kid would feel if someone was glad to see them. The
acceptance from an adult into class most likely will start the class off on the
right foot for a student that is used to starting class on the wrong foot.
Other Meet and Greet statements
A.
General Greetings: Welcome, Hello, How are you
doing?, Good Day, Top of the Morning, Släinte, Hola, Bonjour, etc.
B.
‘We have a great class planned for today’ or
‘today’s lesson is going to be amazing’
C.
‘Thank you for coming to class today.’
a.
When I was working at a department store through
college, I had this manager that would come up to me every day we worked
together and shake my hand saying “Thanks for coming in today.” I knew he was
making the statement in jest, but it still made me feel important to the
operations of the retail establishment.
D.
I like statements. ‘I like those shoes,’ ‘I like
the way you have styled your hair today,’ ‘I like those glasses,’ etc.
E.
Use a Nice statement, ‘That is a nice shirt you
have one’
a.
I usually say this to students that have on
athletic team attire that I have an interest in such as the colleges I
attended, professional sports teams I follow, or just a standard shirt from our
high school. This makes the student feel good but also provides them with
information about my interests and opens up future follow up discussions.
F. Use
humor to joke with students that wear Michigan Wolverine or Cleveland Browns
attire. I am from Ohio and am a Cincinnati Bengals fan. This usually gets a
smile or chuckle from the student.
“Your smile
will give you a positive countenance
that will
make people feel comfortable around you.”
Les Brown
Don’t forget to
smile and laugh around students to let them know that you like them and care
about them.
The ‘Meet and
Greet’ is one tool for your tool belt. In order to be a masterful teacher, the ‘Meet
and Greet’ needs to be used in conjunction with a multitude of sound teaching
practices. The ‘Meet and Greet’ will help you to begin class in a positive
manner, your other tools will allow you to successfully complete the day’s task
of effectively teaching.
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