Reverent listening is difficult to define because it is an
abstract concept. Just as I listen to my students’ feelings, ideas, and
struggles, the students play a vital role in reciprocating such actions.
Through modeling, everyone plays a crucial role in the classroom. When everyone
feels valued and listened to, the classroom becomes a safe environment filled
with respect.
Students need to be heard, and it’s the teacher’s role to listen
to the students; their interests and expectations are ultimately what affect
the content being taught. The ways in which students respond to the instruction
determines the strategies and methods needed to be incorporated to enhance
motivation in the classroom. To establish a culturally responsive classroom,
students need to feel understood and cared for while equally encouraged and
challenged. If we can build up the students in an environment where this
occurs, they will be more responsive in terms of increase of knowledge.
Some schools have what is known as a “laundry list of valued
ethics” –which are character traits expected amongst faculty and students. In a
recent field experience, I learned that core value to be obtained and executed
by the students was Respect. Respecting means listening to one another, and although
the students demonstrated this quite well, the faculty did not (at least in my
opinion). I was struggling to convey my scheduling conflict to two faculty
members who did not have the slightest concern with what it was I saying. They did
not demonstrate culturally responsive behavior, as they ignored my concern and
what it was I was trying to say.
It may be sad to say, but the teacher who I had who exhibited
the traits of a reverent listener did not come along until my college career.
While in his classroom, we all were respectful of him, listening carefully to
what he had to say and never interrupting. He would incorporate discussions into his
lesson where he would want our feedback or for us to share a personal
experience relevant to the topic. I know for me, he even used to (and still
does) confront me outside of the classroom to just “check up on things”, and
ever since dad has been diagnosed with cancer, this teacher still tracks me
down to see how my dad is doing/feeling. He goes above and beyond to make sure I
have the resources and support I need in terms of academics and in aspects of
my personal life. He really does demonstrate reverent listening, and he gains
it back in return.
Schools can become toxic towards reverent listening. When
education leaders pursue their own goals and ignore the aspirations of others a
toxic towards reverent listening is created. This toxic can affect those leaders’ peers as
well as their students.
“Respect is given, not earned.” This quote fits my education
philosophy because respect must be delivered in a manner where it is given and received. You cannot just wait
around for someone to “earn” your respect; it can only be reciprocated when
given.
The article quotes various activities, but one activity in
particular that I hope to incorporate into my future classroom is writer’s
workshop. Writer’s workshop is popular amongst teachers because it allows the
students time to write and illustrate their own stories, which can even be
presented to the class afterwards. It displays aspects of culturally responsive
teaching as well as inclusive teaching and reverent listening.
Sources Rud, A.G. & Garrison, J.
(2010). Reverence and Listening in Teaching and Leading.
Teacher College Record 112 (11) 2777-2792. evanguilder. (Producer).
(2012). Kindergarten writing workshop author chair 3 . [Web Video].
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPRM2ZXyrS0
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