Key Considerations & Reflective Questions for Teachers

Key Reflective Questions for Teachers

In order to authentically carry out this inquiry goal, some questions that educators may want to reflect on are as followed: 

• Have you built any relationships with organizations in the community? 
• If so, what are the successes and challenges you’ve experienced? 
• Which social services do your families need most? 
• What is your school’s relationship like with the local community?
• If your local demographics are changing, what is the community’s response to that change? 
• What are some of the needs of your local community? 
• What are the social/emotional/health issues your students face that community agencies might be able to help with?

In addition to these questions, it is crucial that teachers take the time to engage in critical reflection on their experiences, values, and beliefs that may contribute to their own privilege and bias that they may unknowingly be bringing into the classroom. 

Considerations 

When ELL and immigrant students enter the classroom it is important to keep in mind that they are being situated into a new culture with expectations to learn and understand new rules, values, norms, along with a new language. In addition to these abrupt and exhausting expectations, they may also be coping with trauma, stress, anxiety, and depression, making it difficult for them to develop meaningful relationships with their peers and educators.