Solving the achievement gap by getting a snow cone?

Today in my class Exploring Education in Society we talked about the achievement gap and how important it is that teachers get to know their students so they can differentiate instruction, make appropriate resources available, and actually enjoy their job (which, of course would help with teacher retention).

We had a great discussion and class ended.

Several students stayed after class to chat while I packed up my stuff.?They wanted to further discuss what teachers might do to improve the culture of their classrooms and share some of the experiences they have had.?It was wonderful to see my freshman students so engaged.

On my way out of class I was approached by one of my international students.?He still had a few questions about the discussion and about his homework.?We chatted out in the hall and then continue to talk as we walked together to the quad.

When we arrived, we found about half our class was already there waiting for the snow cone shack to open up.?I was able to help them form a line and then visited with several of my students while we waited.?I had a great time asking them where they are from, how they are adjusting to being at university, and what they are looking forward to this year.?I was surprised how much we all had in common despite vastly different backgrounds.???

I was only there for about 15 minutes but I feel like I now know several students so much better.?As we were all visiting, my Italian student had to interject, “what is a snow cone?”?

Ha. ?It never would have occurred to me that a common treat out here in the desert of southern Utah would be foreign to any of my students.

We were able to explain how snow cones are made, what flavors are best, and what toppings you can put on them.?He was fascinated and thrilled to be the first student to be served (he ordered a Tiger’s blood flavored cone).?

So, here’s the cool part.

Before our snow cone experience, we had class.?And class started with me asking my students about what is happening on campus this week.?To my surprise I learned that it is homecoming week, so there are cool activities every day.?

We talked about all of the different activities going on and I noted that my children love the homecoming parade (usually there is a lot of candy throwing), and that if my students want to meet the fam, we typically watch at the end of the parade route.?

After discussing the various activities, a student invited me out to the open mic on Wednesday, while another told me (and the rest of the class) about the Mario Cart tournament going on later today. Finally, a student mentioned that starting at 11 today (right after class) they would be serving free snow cones out on the quad.?

And that’s how I ended up introducing my Italian student to snow cones.?

One of the big take-aways from today’s class was that teachers can best serve their students if they make an effort to get to know them (and if they help the students get to know each other).?I hadn’t scripted learning about all the cool on-campus activities or arranged for the snow cone shack to open up right after class, those things just happened.?

What I did do was make a deliberate decision to use the first three minutes of my valuable class time to genuinely ask the students how they are doing?

I do truly care about my students and I love that those first three minutes of class resulted in me spending 20 minutes after class getting to know several of my students better.?I love that so many were anxious to get out and take advantage of some of the cool things happening on-campus. And I really love that I was there to experience my student being served his first American snow cone.?

I love being a teacher. ?