Welcome to Indian Hill Master Class! This school year, we are using this annual series as a celebration to highlight the exceptional people who curate a feeling of HOME for our students, our families, and each other. This month, Interim Assistant Superintendent Whitney Buell shines the spotlight on Indian Hill Elementary School teacher Heather Rise.
Whitney Buell (WB): Heather, you are known for creating a wonderful experience for your students. What does it take to create a strong classroom culture?
Heather Rise (HR): The foundation of building a classroom community is the relationships formed between myself and my fourth graders, as well as among the students themselves. To do this, students must have the opportunity to get to know each other personally. I want our classroom to feel like a space where everyone is valued.
At the beginning of each school year, we establish clear and consistent expectations. Students feel safe and thrive in environments where they know what is expected of them. We focus on creating this environment during the first six weeks of school. Students are guided to create hopes and dreams for the school year, and from those goals our class creates expectations that will allow each student to fulfill his or her ambitions.
Throughout the year, at Indian Hill Elementary School, morning meetings set the tone for each school day. Morning meetings allow students to greet each other by name, get to know each other through a time to share and engage in a group activity. This helps build a sense of belonging and encourages communication and collaboration in our classroom.
During the school day, students participate in activities that require collaboration and group work, helping students practice social skills and learn to appreciate the strengths of their peers.
In addition, it is important for the students in my class to see me model respect, fairness, and care for each student, while also responding to students' needs, emotions, and conflicts in a constructive manner from which students can learn.
WB: What brings you the most joy from your class?
HR: Getting to know students and forming positive, supportive relationships is incredibly rewarding. Watching them grow, both academically and personally, and getting to know their unique personalities is what gives me a sense of purpose in my classroom each day.
As my students get to know one another and begin supporting each other, it makes me feel happy to see them take care of one another.
And…nothing beats having fun and laughing with my students. This makes school a place where both my students and I want to be.
It is important that we build relationships and community within our classrooms, because it prepares our students for the future. In the real world, success is not only determined by academic knowledge and achievement, but also by the ability to build relationships, work in teams and navigate social challenges. It is our responsibility to prepare students with the interpersonal skills needed for both their careers and personal lives.
Photo caption: Interim Assistant Superintendent Whitney Buell with teacher Heather Rise with class