A Philosophical Inquiry – Manny Birch
Manny Birch
The philosophical question that I came up with while doing the 3-2-1 bridge exercise is: How does building rapport with students affect behavior and classroom management? When it comes to teaching, I believe that there are two main things that happen in the classroom. One is obviously the learning that takes place daily. Second is the development of strong relationships, whether it’s between the students or with the teacher. I chose to focus more on this side of pedagogy because the environment in which students learn can greatly impact their attentiveness, mood, motivation, and overall engagement. Looking through a philosophical lens, this question is rooted in relational and humanistic approaches to education. Philosophers like Lev Vygotsky and John Dewey argued that learning is deeply connected to emotional and social relationships. If students feel seen, respected, and valued, they may be more likely to engage positively in the classroom. This question is personally meaningful to me because I’ve had teachers, coaches, and instructors who treated me and my peers as though we were just a means to their end. Those experiences created a sense of disengagement and doubt, and I wouldn’t want to see it happen to any student. As a future educator and (potential) coach, I want to foster an environment where students genuinely feel supported and respected. If I succeed in doing this, I believe that I will have the greatest impact on my students’ learning and overall experience in the classroom.
