Knowing Students By Name

I have been asked several times by parents over the years, how I know all of the kids names.  I have a confession to make, I don't know them all - yet.  This year I probably know 85 to 90% of our students by name and I am working on the rest.

Knowing students by name is an important part of my work in the school - maybe the most important.  When I'm able to say "hi" or call a student by their name it helps to create a connection between me and them.  This connection helps me to check in on what's going on or help to resolve problems that might be occurring.  I really believe that it helps in creating a positive learning community as well.  Students feel welcomed and included at our school and knowing their name contributes to this.  Besides, calling to a student in the hall and saying "hey you" doesn't quite have the same affect.

There are some pieces of educational research that suggest a positive relationship with a caring adult at school helps students to feel accepted and competent in their academic work. In our school plan we refer to this as "belonging" and it is essential to a person's learning success.  "Belonging encompasses a person's own sense that they are genuinely and caringly included among all others in their place of learning, and that they can feel personally secure in this" (Chris Kelly, 2010).   Calling a student by name is one way that I can show I care.  This is a small contribution to the much larger connection that our classroom teachers and support staff make in getting to know our students on a much deeper level.  No where is this more evident than in our class placement process at the end and beginning of each school year.  When we discuss possible class lists our staff know, in detail, what works for kids, who they connect with, and what supports they need in order to be successful.  The depth with which our staff know your children never ceases to amaze me.

How fortunate we all are to have a place where our students are connected in such a meaningful way to adults that care and in turn, this breeds confidence in learning.