Ballou High School ​Visual Arts Department
2017-2018
  • Welcome
  • Ms. Bonavia
    • Educational Philosophy
    • Grading Philosophy
    • Master's Portfolio
    • TAS Report 2016 DCPS
    • T.A.S. Report 2016-2017
    • Resume
  • Daily Blog
  • Flipped Classroom
    • Course Syllabi
    • Art Design & Foundations Art-A05
    • Instructional Design Plan for Foundations of Art Ballou H.S.
    • Art Essential Questions
    • Art Vocabulary
  • Student Gallery
    • Lesson Plans 2016-2017
    • DCPS Scope and Sequence
    • Critiques/Reflections
    • Rubrics for Evaluation
  • AP Studio Art
  • Teacher Work
  • Press Releases
  • Contact

The Importance of Relationsips

7/17/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Well, here I sit at Starbucks, staring at my skinny vanilla latte, thinking, "What should I write about this morning"? I took a sip of my coffee (deep in thought) when a man looked at me and asked me if I was doing work on the computer. I told him no, I was off for the summer...I'm a teacher. Of course the next question that follows is, "Where do you teach"?

Every time that I say, Blanche Ely High School, I get the same reaction: Wow, you teach at Ely, that's a tough school? Yes! I teach at Ely and it is the best job that I have ever had...with the greatest kids that I have ever had the honor & privilege to teach!

People often ask me, "How do you do it? How do you get over 300 high school kids a day in oversized classes to listen to you"? I can answer that question in just one word: RELATIONSHIPS.

Rules without relationships don't work. If someone doesn't respect you or doesn't think you are worthy enough to be respected or simply doesn't like you, why would they listen to you? It is all about building relationships. Of course, there is also dedication, the ability to command an audience, talent, passion, and the knowledge of ones' subject matter, but a teacher can have all of those qualities but if she does not build good relationships with her students she will have problems with discipline, I guarantee.

Kids don't learn from people they don't like, it's a fact. You can be the smartest person in the world...but that won't make you a good teacher, either!

So how does a teacher build relationships? Is it the box of granola bars in her desk for anyone who is hungry. Or the endless pocket of change for the vending machine? Is it giving up planning time, lunch or opening the room before and after school for your students? No...it helps, but it is not the answer. I believe that kids KNOW if you are sincere, if you like them and if you truly care. Kids can tell...trust me.

Teaching and learning should be a joy! What would the world be like if every child had an adult who would tell them every day how special they are? That they can do great things and be great if they just do their best! Can you only imagine?

So...why do you think I point out to you guys every day all the beautiful qualities that I see in you? I tell you just in case you didn't notice yourself and just in case no one ever took the time to notice how special you are. Sometimes it takes just one person in your life that believes in you to change things around! You all can do whatever in life you want to do if you just set the goal and do what it takes to make it happen. I'll be here cheering you on all the way.

Hopefully, one day you will come back to see me like so many of my former students and say to me, "Thanks, Ms. B., you made a difference in my life. You made me feel like I was somebody...you told me I was great and when you said that I believed you and guess what Ms. B....I have a great life.I wanted to come back and show you what I did with my life. Thank you for believing in me".

Another refill of coffee and I'm off to live a glorious day! I love you guys, Ms. B.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Donna Bonavia

    I am an art educator and  a professional artist. I write this blog to guide my students in  (SEL) social, emotional, and academic development. S.E.L. is the District of Columbia Public School's priority because we believe that we must educate the whole child.


    Picture
    Yale National Initiative
    Fellowship 2017


    2017-DCPS Standing Ovation recognition Highly Effective Teaching

    Picture2016-DCPS Standing Ovation recognition Highly Effective Teaching
    ​


    Picture
    DCPS Capital Commitment
    Fellow
    ​2015-Present

    Picture
    2015 Teacher of The Year Blanche Ely High School

    Picture
    2015 Civic Recognition Award Winner

    Picture
    2015 Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce
    Picture
    Picture
    2015 Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction The National Society of High School Scholars
    Picture
    Teacher of the Year 2008
    Picture
    Teacher of the Year 2006-2007
    Picture
    Disney American Teacher Award Nominee "Creativity In Teaching" 2001
    Picture
    Teacher of the Year 1999
    Picture
    Teacher of the Year 1998
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2011-2012
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2010-2011
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2009-2010
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2008-2009
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2007-2008

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    October 2019
    September 2019
    November 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    May 2017
    December 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Creative Commons License
    This work by Donna Bonavia is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
    Based on a work at www.msbonavia.com.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.