NOVIA, Bellevue, Washington, USA

Middle School Student 
Chinese 
Female 

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Q: What do you have in common with your teachers? 

A: Both my teachers and I share many similar day to day experiences. We all live or interact with the same community and setting, be it school or the greater Seattle area, so many of the things they run into I have dealt with as well.

My teachers will tell the class about an experience they had with traffic, SEATAC airport, or someone at the grocery store, and I am able to relate to it.

Even their childhood stories and personal preferences coincide with mine at times. Some days I've had conversations about pets, foods, and TV shows that both my teachers and I absolutely adore. Other times we complain together about not wanting to run or wake up early!

Q: Does it matter that students and teachers have things in common? 

A: I believe it is essential that students and teachers have things in common and share them as well.

Personally, I know it's sometimes easy to get caught up in the grading aspect of school. At times, I'll forget the ultimate goal is to learn from my mistakes rather than just being upset about them.

Shared interests and experiences make it so in the eyes of students, teachers are not just the people that critique and stamp letters onto our work. When I can relate to who I am learning from, I feel I can better reflect on the suggestions and markings I see. I know the person who wrote them understands personally what I go through on a day to day basis, and I know they want me to improve.

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