Do we put so much stock in first impressions that they inform our choices or interactions regarding certain people from then on? It would be easy to say that I like to give people the benefit of the doubt & let the sometimes contrived nature of initial interactions fade & give way to something far more substantial but it's not always the case. I have been guilty of letting first impressions remain firmly in mind in the past; sometimes aptly, sometimes to the detriment of the development of relationships of a more positive nature.
It is especially hard as a teacher to not let the opinions of other teachers get in the way of developing an original & meaningful rapport with some students. That said, I have appreciated being told about the sometimes explosive capacity of some of the more volatile young'uns under my care, & have also paid the price for NOT knowing in other instances!
However, when it doesn't concern specified/(over)diagnosed cognitive/behavioural difficulties & the necessary rituals & structure (Blue paper, no-one on their left side, using a full name & NOT the abbreviation etc.) needed to ensure harmony & students are described plainly & simply as mongrels before I've even met them, surely that sets in motion a chain of events that ruins the guesswork & adventure of getting to know someone from scratch?
I've experienced this a lot, having been at 3 different schools in the past 3 years, so now when teachers start giving me the low down, I politely ask that they only tell me the info regarding things I NEED to know: mainly Autism, PDD NOS, Asperger’s, ADD, ADHD, ODD, OHGEECANIBUYAVOWEL? & the like which require set management to make the classroom an effective & positive environment for learning.
In recent cases there were 2 students whose reputations preceded them & as observations go, they were absolutely foul to all & sundry. I didn't take it personally, but my mind was seemingly made up.
Today however, I thought I had met completely different people. There were jokes (not vicious or malicious), discussions of a jovial nature, inclusivity, attempts to teach the teacher some 'siq' dance moves although he probably looked like a starfish having a fit & dare I say it, there was some bonding over music festivals & bands. I made sure I gave them praise at the end, but private, specific & unconditional (more on that later: even the simple act of praising someone has boundaries now!) & I really hope that this is a continuing trend. The dread I felt in going to this class knowing what I anticipated was the result of misconstrued information as well as a series of botched & contrived first impressions.
Here’s to second impressions. Far more beneficial, way more fun & thoroughly appreciated!
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