Building Confidence and Trust: Tools That Help Teachers Embrace The Post-Pandemic Normal

Published: March 22, 2022

Author: Kasey Laughlin

If these last two years of pandemic-driven learning have taught us anything, it’s that meaningful relationships between students and teachers are golden.

Yes, our students need structure, support, and accountability. Yes, they need to learn reading and writing strategies and multiplication facts. But, as we build these skills, we dare not neglect connecting and building relationships with our students too. Personal warmth matters.

Trust, an asset no matter the challenge

When we teachers connect with students-when we empathize with them as they
face challenges-we build trust. Building trust brings a more positive and engaging experience for learners. It helps them feel safe and loved when they are with us throughout the school day.

Why does this matter now as we inch back to a “normal” classroom? Because for many teachers, today’s “normal” won’t resemble yesterday’s normal.

Anxieties surrounding COVID still linger with many students.

• Some have lost loved ones.
• Some harbor fears of getting sick.
• Some, who disengaged with distant learning, now struggle with mental health.

Perhaps refugee children now take seats in your classroom. Perhaps children with special needs join your class at some point during the day. 

All of these students can benefit from having an understanding champion by their side, a trusted guide. The more tools we teachers have in our toolboxes, the more we can help.   

Specialty endorsement = confidence in knowing what to do

Specialty training improves our effectiveness even as “regular” classroom teachers. Imagine these scenarios:

• Your background knowledge of language acquisition instantly informs how you modify lessons to help your new refugee students with their English Language Learning (ELL).
• Your ability to effectively read an IEP helps you quickly accommodate a student with special needs.
• Your confident collaboration with the ELL teacher or special education teacher in your district or building injects efficiency that puts you all on the “same page.”
• Your deeper understanding helps each of your students thrive where they spend the most time-in the regular education classroom.

My story, and benefits for you, too

Speaking as a regular classroom teacher who has earned both my ELL endorsement and my LBS1 special education endorsement, I can say the benefits exceeded my initial expectations. Here’s what you can expect:

• With your ELL endorsement, expect to impact students immediately and not have to fully rely on the ELL teacher in your building or district.
• With your special education endorsement, expect to understand accommodations and best practices that help every student move forward-not just students with a 504 or IEP.
• With either endorsement, expect to deepen your understanding of students’ social and cultural influences and their uniqueness, too. Expect to meet students more easily where they are and help them make positive steps forward in their learning.
• With either endorsement, expect to gain insight into best practices for instructional methods that empower your students and help them thrive.

Navigating your new post-pandemic normal

The level of diversity and number of students with challenges continues to grow. Adding one or more specialty endorsements to your credentials will help you meet these challenges. You will more easily understand the student from the student’s perspective, know what to do, and engender trust at the same time.

Go here to learn about Greenville University’s Summer 2022 Get SET Summer Endorsement for Teachers program. Don’t delay. Courses fill quickly.