In a class of twenty children, there are bound to be all types of personalities. Some students are more outgoing, others are quiet, some are aggressive, and others are very passive. Some children tend to dominate wherever they go while other children are almost overlooked.
As a teacher, it is very important to strive to create equality among the students. A good classroom has various learners and is not overflowing with one type of personality. However, it is sometimes easy to let dominate students control the activities and lessons. These students are always sitting with their hand up or yelling out answers. On the playground they want to determine what game is played and create the rules for it. Quieter, more passive students often had rather let these students have their way than to cause a disruption.
In the hectic schedules that school days now have, it is easy for teachers to let quiet, passive students go unnoticed. Teachers must work to not always call on more aggressive students first. I have one student in my class that rarely talks. He will answer questions but only if asked directly. He does not voluntarily offer information. He does not raise his hand to answer even if he knows the answer. With all of the other children with hands up and bouncing up and down, I have had to train myself not to always let him be the last student to have a turn. On Monday, when the other students are excitedly telling stories from the weekend, I must remind myself to turn and ask him what happened at his house over the weekend.
Sometimes, teaching and creating relationships with various personalities can be frustrating and difficult. However, we must continue to remember that children are all individuals and must be treated as individuals. Whether dealing with discipline troubles or academic struggles, teachers must take into consider what is best for the individual child. What works for one child may not work for another child.
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