Blog Post #3
Champion For Students: The author states, “You probably know a few educators who embody this first core principle of championing for kids.” Who is a champion for students at your school? Describe what makes this person a champion for students. What does being a champion for students look like?
A true champion for students is someone who consistently shows up, advocates, and believes in every child’s potential. At my school, the person who first comes to mind is Kevin. They embody the core principle of championing for kids by building meaningful relationships, offering unwavering encouragement, and creating a learning environment where every student feels valued and capable. This educator goes beyond academics, checking in on student well-being, celebrating small wins, and finding creative ways to re-engage those who may feel disconnected. Being a champion for students means seeing their strengths before they see them themselves, meeting them where they are, and walking alongside them as they grow. Through compassion, high expectations, and genuine investment in each learner, Kevin models what it truly means to champion every student, every day.
ReplyDeleteI know several teachers who embody this, but I would say the junior high special education teacher is the best example of being a champion for kids. She has a very disarming personality that helps students really open up with her. She knows just how to talk to each child to get the best out of them. She's got a great sense of humor, is extremely considerate, and she will go the extra mile to take care of her students. She's a magnet for not only students, but teachers as well. She helped me a lot while I was teaching, and our school is very lucky to have her.
ReplyDeleteChampion For Students: The author states, “You probably know a few educators who embody this first core principle of championing for kids.” Who is a champion for students at your school? Describe what makes this person a champion for students. What does being a champion for students look like?
ReplyDeleteMr. Bute is a champion for students at my school. He always has time or makes time for his students (and staff members). I have seen him on many occasions be the should for students, the study partner, the advocate, the travel planner... HE DOES IT ALL. He makes students and helping them reach their potential his mission. This is contagious. Because of his work, our entire department has tried to make this concept OUR concept. Being a champion for students looks like Mr. Bute. He does all of these things but he also expects excellence from all of the students and colleagues that work with him. We appreciate having him on our team.
We have an e-mentor, Ashley at our school. She knows the kids and knows what the kids are capable of. She keeps on top of the kids' assignments and advocates for them. She knows when kids are struggling and tries to make other teachers aware of their situations. She is also very down to earth in her advice. She has a lot of common sense and has great ideas to keep our school in line.
ReplyDeleteAnother person in our school is our school nurse. She is everywhere. She is willing to step out and help kids with their missing assignments and not just tend to their health needs. She is very easy to talk to if you need help with a student or their needs. She makes sure teachers are aware of medical issues that need our attention. She's also a good ear if you need to talk things out.
I think any person in a school can be a champion for students. If a student finds a trusted adult in a school they will seek that person out whether or not that person is a teacher or not. A champion for students will listen and advocate when needed. Another thing is a champion will know what resources are available and also the procedure to assist students, either special needs, or counseling, etc.
The principal is the main champion, then the nurse and teachers. The students have to feel like they can trust adults that are in their corner and that they can trust them with their personal thoughts and goals. School staff should represent a safe place for students to come with their personal thoughts good and bad. The school should represent a "guard rail" of sorts to help the students along their pathway to success. Our job is to guide, teach as well as form relationships with our students. As educators we are not doing our jobs to the fullest extent by only teaching. There is much more we are responsible for and that the students need to become successful. I believe taking the time to get to know our students is a huge investment in their future.
ReplyDeleteChampion For Students: The author states, “You probably know a few educators who embody this first core principle of championing for kids.” Who is a champion for students at your school? Describe what makes this person a champion for students. What does being a champion for students look like?
ReplyDeleteI feel like sometimes our biggest champions for kids is our counselors. They create a safe space for students and have those meaningful conversations, but to also to have those conversations to get students on the right track. My school has roughly 6 counselors and they are always busy meeting with students and helping navigate life. They area of expertise is very wide spread as they are helping students find the right class, talk about struggles they are going through at home and at school, helping them apply for college or what life looks like after high school, and what opportunities are out there for them. They create so many connections between their large student list, and it's amazing how much they know and remember about each student.
I am blessed to work in a school where the majority of educators there are champions for students. Our High School Math Teacher has taught in our school for many years, and always puts students first. She works to be sure she reaches all students no matter what. She goes the extra mile for struggling students and uses many methods to get concepts through to them. Our students know that she is there for them if they ever need to talk about personal issues as well. It was no surprise that she was a finalist last year for the SD Teacher of the Year.
ReplyDeleteA champion for students is someone who shows up for students and puts relationships first. They truly care about their students, have high expectations and the children are comfortable enough to take risks. I have worked with many champions for students. One who comes to mind is one of our special education teachers. She forms relationships with each and every one of her students. She collaborates well with their classroom teacher to adjust learning to meet their needs. She not only makes connections with the students she serves through special education but she connect with all children when she is in the classroom. She goes above and beyond often creating a lot of supplemental materials to support student needs.
ReplyDeleteAt my school, there is an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) teacher who is truly a champion for students and their families. She is amazing at building strong connections with families and helping them find resources to meet their needs. She also builds relationships with students quickly and easily by taking the time to learn about their interests, strengths, and abilities. Because of this, students feel comfortable, supported, and understood in her classroom. What makes her a champion for students is her dedication to advocating for both the child and their family. She listens, communicates openly, and works to ensure that each student receives the support and opportunities they need to succeed.
ReplyDeleteBeing a champion for students looks like building trusting and open relationships with students and families, advocating for their needs, and ensuring every child feels valued and supported. It means going beyond academics and focusing on the whole child while partnering with families to help each student grow and thrive.
There are several champions in my school, but one does stand out. This teacher is amazing in everything he does, but the most important thing he does is he makes everyone he talks to the center of that moment and he truly listens and makes every conversation about that person. He leaves very thoughtful and encouraging notes on the students' desks or papers- that are not cookie cutter but are very relevant to each individual. He knows his students and understands them. His line of parents and students at PT conferences is always the longest and he focuses on each family as if they are the only family in the room - never worrying about the line-up or stressing. He is an amazing teacher and every family feels blessed to have had him as a teacher for their child.
ReplyDeleteA champion in my school is our Power Math teacher. She goes above and beyond for students who struggle with math and is always making a positive impact. She is beyond friendly and has a way to work with students who don't even like to do math. Sometimes the behaviors are high in her room because of the students in there, but she knows exactly how to build relationships with them. Even in the hallway, she can change any negative situation into a positive and I think that both adults and students need that. To be a champion, you need the key element of understanding and relationships. Not every day is going to be great for students and a champion has to understand that one bad day does not mean that student is a problem, just letting them know that there are better days ahead. Building relationships and letting kids know you care more about them than their grade is a champion because students love to try harder with teachers who actually care and let them know that they believe in them.
ReplyDeleteWho is a champion for students at your school? Describe what makes this person a champion for students. What does being a champion for students look like?
ReplyDeleteHere at our school, our middle school English teacher is a champion for our students. She is outstanding. Just watching her teach and the time that she puts in with her students makes me both proud and embarrassed. Proud because our kids here get to learn from her every day and embarrassed because I don't do close to the things that she does in the classroom. She is consistently at our students' extracurricular activities and cheers them on during their games. She is also the first one to encourage them and praise them when they have done well on work in her classroom, or any of their work in other classes. She puts in so much time with these kids individually outside of the classroom, and I know how much time she puts in on her own outside of school. She always has the students' best interest in mind and will push them to be the best they can be. She is definitely a champion of students at our school.
We have so many people that I could choose to write about as a champion for students at our school. I am choosing our principal. He works continuously to make sure our students have a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment that they walk into every day. He consistently challenges the staff to think outside the box, build relationships, and encourages us to be better for the students. The phrase "Is this best for kids?" is often used when we are making decisions.
ReplyDeleteWho is a champion at your school? Describe what makes this person a champion for students. What does being a champion for kids look like?
ReplyDeleteMy champion is Mr. Gallagher. He is the most positive teacher I know. He has great relationships with all students. He is very visible in our school and community. I see him at every school event. He is always doing new things in his classroom and he always praises his teachers for his success.
He always says that if he didn’t have the teachers he had, he wouldn’t have been a teacher.
Who is a champion for students at your school? Describe what makes this person a champion for students. What does being a champion for students look like?
ReplyDeleteIt's almost always the teacher that makes the most calls home and sometimes stays late doing the calling and almost always it's our female teachers :) Not to be sexist, but they love talking and getting things solved. There are more than a few at our school. What does a champion for students look like? It's the hugs, the eye contact when there's something going on. Sometimes you're the counselor and have to dig, but essentially it's caring.
At my school, one clear example is a science teacher who truly lives this out. What stands out first is that he is simply a great human. Students feel that right away. He takes time to build real relationships, learning who his students are beyond the classroom. Because of that, students trust him, even when the content feels difficult. What makes him a champion for students is how he responds when they struggle. Instead of letting students shut down or label themselves as “not good at science,” or “not smart” he leans in. He breaks concepts down, tries different approaches, and reassures them that confusion is part of learning. He helps students see that just because they don’t understand something yet doesn’t mean they can’t. Over time, you can see students start to believe in themselves. Their confidence grows, not just academically, but personally. Just as important, this teacher creates a healthy relationship with a caring adult for our students. Students know he is someone in the building who sees them, supports them, and won’t give up on them. Being a champion for students looks like that. It’s building trust, refusing to let students settle for less than they are capable of, and walking alongside them as they figure things out. It’s not about having all the answers, but about making sure students never feel alone in the process.
ReplyDeleteChampion For Students: The author states, “You probably know a few educators who embody this first core principle of championing for kids.” Who is a champion for students at your school? Describe what makes this person a champion for students. What does being a champion for students look like?
ReplyDeleteA champion for students is someone who puts students first. They want them to success in all walks of like. In my school it is Lori. Lori makes every student feel welcome and capable for success. She always has a simple and positive message for students. I regularly see her after school helping students. She identifies the successes of students when others only see their failures. She notices when student are struggling and does her best to help. Our students that have a long road to meeting graduation requirements can count on Lori being in their corner encouraging them when they feel like giving up. Supportive is an understatement. She is always advocating, listening, helping, encouraging students.
Characteristics that help paint the picture of a champion for students include: advocating for students, taking time to listen and guide students, helping student problem solve, encouraging students to work towards their goals, building relationships with students, helping students find needed resources, etc.
In a nut shell, being a champion for students is all about putting students first.
Who is a champion for students at my school? That is a difficult question as there are many. I will not name one but I will discuss the characteristics of those champions. Champions for students must have short memories. They have to be able to give kids another chance after they have "blown it". Everyday has to be a new day. A chance to be better than they were yesterday. Champions also have high expectations for all students. Those expectations will be different but always high, another characteristic of champions for students. Tolerance, patience, and understanding are also characteristics of champions for students. Being honest and realistic are also extremely important characteristics of champions for students.
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