An elementary school teacher in Colorado has sparked an online movement encouraging teachers across the world to better understand and support their students.
Kyle Schwartz, a third grade teacher in Denver, started a lesson plan called “I Wish My Teacher Knew,” in which she asks her students to write out something that they wish their teacher knew about them. According to ABC News, Shwartz first started this exercise in an attempt to build trust between her and her students, many of whom come from underprivileged homes.
“Ninety-two percent of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch,” Schwartz told ABC News. “As a new teacher, I struggled to understand the reality of my students’ lives and how to best support them. I just felt like there was something I didn’t know about my students.”
The responses that Shwartz got back varied, some were heartbreaking, but all of them were honest.
“Some notes are heartbreaking,” Shwartz told ABC News, adding that she also gives her students the option to submit their responses anonymously. “I have found that most students are not only willing to include their name, but also enjoy sharing with the class. Even when what my students are sharing is sensitive in nature, most students want their classmates to know.”
Shwartz first shared her students’ responses on Twitter on March 27, alongside the hashtag #IWishMyTeacherKnew.
Had my students write "I wish my teacher knew___" It's a reality check. #edchat #fellowschat http://t.co/8vFUZqQnu0—
Kyle Schwartz (@kylemschwartz) March 28, 2015
#iwishmyteacherknew I don't have a friend to play with me. Honest answers from kids #edchat http://t.co/5H0EPgRzPQ—
Kyle Schwartz (@kylemschwartz) April 06, 2015
#iwishmyteacherknew that I want to go to college #edchat http://t.co/pal9Y4L846—
Kyle Schwartz (@kylemschwartz) April 07, 2015
It quickly caught on, with tweets, photos and notes flooding in from other teachers across the globe:
"I wish my teacher knew…"
Middle school ST responses.
WOW! Heartfelt, honest, powerful.
#iwishmyteacherknew http://t.co/x6munGKHiT—
Rebecca Shoniker (@writingrebecca) April 14, 2015
#iwishmyteacherknew how much I miss my dad since he got deported #edchat #ImmigrationReform http://t.co/yUK0FCwwiO—
Kyle Schwartz (@kylemschwartz) April 06, 2015
“I think it caught on so fast because teachers are highly collaborative and freely share and explore resources,” Schwartz told ANC News. “In the end, all teachers want to support their students, and #iwishmyteacherknew is a simple and powerful way to do that.
“Building community in my classroom is a major goal of this lesson. After one student shared that she had no one to play with at recess, the rest of the class chimed in and said, ‘we got your back.’ The next day during recess, I noticed she was playing with a group of girls. Not only can I support my students, but my students can support each other.”
“I care deeply about each and every one of my students and I don’t want any of them to have to suffer the consequences of living in poverty, which is my main motivation for teaching.”
