Kyle Schwartz isn’t a teacher who just teaches the curriculum for the sake of teaching the curriculum because that’s what she gets paid to do.
When she started teaching first grade, she wanted to actually get to know her students.
She wanted to know more than just their grades and didn’t want to make assumptions about them.
Just got a sample copy of my new book #IWishForChange in the mail today! I couldn’t be more proud to share what I’ve learned about helping young people make a difference. (Pre-orders available now https://t.co/vZoZxv2XH2 ) #edchat pic.twitter.com/fCEBEjohKr
— Kyle Schwartz (@kylemschwartz) May 16, 2019
“I do believe that relationships are at the heart of every learning experience,” Schwartz told the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
She had no idea just how much she would learn by asking them to finish the sentence,” I wish my teacher knew…”
Year 4 Day 1 – Intro note cards are my go to get to know you activity. Quick glance at handwriting, explanations to simple questions, & the ever powerful & eye-opening #IWishMyTeacherKnew on the back. #FirstDayOfSchool #engchat #miched #edchat #NCTEVillage pic.twitter.com/03Jw0OzS82
— Benjamin K. Woodcock (He/Him) (@bnjmn_k_wdcck) August 27, 2018
She knew that many of her students were living in poverty, she just didn’t know how that affected them until she heard the children’s responses that included “I don’t have pencils at home to do my homework.”
She also learned about the children’s parents.
“I wish my teacher knew that sometimes my reading log is not signed because my mom isn’t around a lot,” wrote one child.
Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be Kind. Always. 💛#iwishmyteacherknew pic.twitter.com/NkXapeqOIx
— Kim Lockhart (@k_lockhart5) November 15, 2019
“I wish my teacher knew how much I miss my dad because he got deported to Mexico when I was 3 years old and I haven’t seen him in six years,” wrote another.
She also discovered what her students value.
One student wanted to let Schwartz know that she loves her family. Learning more about what her students were dealing with outside the classroom would help Schwartz understand what she could do to help her students succeed inside the classroom.
My newest read #iwishmyteacherknew @kylemschwartz #GoingBoldly #NhrecL #WeAreNewHorizons pic.twitter.com/O4wT1bl7GC
— pcooke85 (@pcooke85) September 30, 2018
Schwartz ended up posting some of the responses on social media where they went viral along with the hashtag #iwishmyteacherknew.
It even inspired other teachers to perform the same exercise with their own students.
“I really want families to know how intentional teachers are about creating a sense of community and creating relationships with kids,” Schwartz told the New York Times. “Kids don’t learn when they don’t feel safe or valued.”
2nd year I do this with my students. As a teacher, it’s my job to make sure my students feel safe in the classroom. #IWishMyTeacherKnew…. pic.twitter.com/LLmBuR3LqM
— Adrian Zacarias Jr (@adrian_zacarias) October 3, 2019
She even published a book about the subject titled “I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything For Our Kids.”
Schwartz said these questions can also help teachers and families work together.
“Parents see the teacher as their partner in bringing up their child, and that’s a huge responsibility that we are putting on our teachers and our schools,” Washington D.C. mom Melody Molinoff said.
Very excited about my new book! #iwishmyteacherknew pic.twitter.com/opiIWfCiHZ
— Mrs. Murphy (@mtmurphy18) November 7, 2019
“I always want my sons’ teachers to know what their challenges are, what they like, just more about them.”
But creating these relationships isn’t always easy in the current state of education policy.
“Well, I think there are certainly forces and pressures in education that would make us think that our time is best spent, you know just, collecting data and measuring everything. In that type of world, it really does take courage to value that which we can’t measure,” Schwartz said.
Love this idea so much! Thank you @kylemschwartz for the inspiration! #iwishmyteacherknew #nowyourteacherknows pic.twitter.com/bFfrbnXtTd
— Becky Holster (@BeckyHolster) February 27, 2018
“I do believe that relationships are at the heart of every learning experience. So, it’s about teachers really taking the time and making the space to hold sacred the time that it takes to make those human connections with students. I will say, I think most teachers are doing that work, but I would really like the education, you know, industry and the powers that be to really honor that relationship-building work, that community-building work that we’re doing every day in our classrooms.”
Love this idea so much! Thank you @kylemschwartz for the inspiration! #iwishmyteacherknew #nowyourteacherknows pic.twitter.com/bFfrbnXtTd
— Becky Holster (@BeckyHolster) February 27, 2018
Testing scores and curriculum can seem a lot more trivial when you learn that the reason a child can’t do their homework is because they don’t have pencils.
It also makes one realize that punishment and discipline are futile in a learning environment.
Like, knowing every time I got sent down to the office, you know, the thing I needed wasn’t like, quote unquote, to be disciplined. The thing I needed was understanding and supports and resources. And so, I look for that in my students. Not just like, “How can I punish you for this behavior, but how can I get to the root of it? What do you need from me? What are you looking for?” And that for me, it’s been really powerful in my teaching, but I think it’s also been powerful for my students to hear me being so honest about,” Schwartz said.
Learn more about this incredible teacher in the video below.
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