1a. On page 10 of this reading assignment, Tomlinson states that “teachers who are willing to establish ties with students discover new depths of truth each day...” What does this mean to you?
The older I've gotten, the more I've realized that there is so much more to every person that meets the eye. Everyone has lived different lives, gone through different experiences, battled different challenges, and became who they are now through these experiences. However, children have a special advantage over some adults. Some (hopefully most) have not yet realized how harsh the world is and as a result look at it through eyes of hope, innocence, and optimism. So often this view can be incredibly refreshing for adults, as children will tell how they see the world and situations straight-out instead of trying to always sugar coat everything. By taking time to get to really know your students and establish those ties, students will become more comfortable with you, and as a result will usually talk more with or confide in you as a respected adult. Some students may not confide in you but may become comfortable enough with you to give their opinion, show how they could teach a classmate, or any number of other things. Often, students don't realize that they are even doing these things, and they just happen naturally. That's where taking time as a teacher to watch and listen comes into play. Establishing those ties and then taking the time to strengthen them will not only help your students to feel valued, but will help you as a teacher learn truth from other eyes.
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