I have enjoyed different students for different reasons, but my favorites are the ones who have some sort of wall--it can be coolness, shyness, lack of confidence, overconfidence, hostility toward the world in general, disinterest--that they eventually let down when they see I'm not there to judge them, I'm there to help them along their path. It's a great feeling to connect with students in that way.

I most enjoy the students who go the extra mile to contribute to the classroom community. These could be kids who show great leadership skills when working in groups. They might be students who use the right type of humor at the right time. It could be a kid with a knack for technology who uses it to help peers and/or the teacher. Sometimes it’s a really kind child who quietly supports friends or helps to keep the classroom picked up. All of these contributions help keep a class working together well and feeling like a pleasant place to be.

The ones who open up a bit - I don't need the whole life story, but I hear a little about their friends and family and home life. It helps me who they are as people, and what their goals are. I am not in a private school, and college is not an option for some of my students, so understanding what is realistically next for them helps me prepare them for what's next.

I like the ones who pop in to chat during off times, the ones who come in to tell me they passed a test in another class. The ones who are cold and grumpy are hard to get to know, and harder to teach, and less enjoyable to work with.

Anonymous wrote:My favorites are the funny ones, but inevitably the most hilarious kids are also the ones who are the biggest pain in the ass.

+1

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't even be able to start to answer this question, honestly. There are so many different types of kids I have enjoyed ... there is no one mold. Some of my favorites have been ones who struggled, didn't know how to ask questions, and were reluctant to do work, while others were proactive, smart, and eager to come to school each day. It's about seeing the light within, and that looks really different in different kids.

Where do you teach?

My favorites are the funny ones, but inevitably the most hilarious kids are also the ones who are the biggest pain in the ass.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't even be able to start to answer this question, honestly. There are so many different types of kids I have enjoyed ... there is no one mold. Some of my favorites have been ones who struggled, didn't know how to ask questions, and were reluctant to do work, while others were proactive, smart, and eager to come to school each day. It's about seeing the light within, and that looks really different in different kids.

You sound like a great teacher!

What a great post! As someone who mentors college students I feel the same way.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't even be able to start to answer this question, honestly. There are so many different types of kids I have enjoyed ... there is no one mold. Some of my favorites have been ones who struggled, didn't know how to ask questions, and were reluctant to do work, while others were proactive, smart, and eager to come to school each day. It's about seeing the light within, and that looks really different in different kids.

You sound like a great teacher!

They are patient (don’t constantly rush me), reflective, and open to feedback

I wouldn't even be able to start to answer this question, honestly. There are so many different types of kids I have enjoyed ... there is no one mold. Some of my favorites have been ones who struggled, didn't know how to ask questions, and were reluctant to do work, while others were proactive, smart, and eager to come to school each day. It's about seeing the light within, and that looks really different in different kids.

Anonymous wrote:Curious, outside-the-box thinkers who are kind.

This, but I would also add “well-rounded” and not too intensely focused on perfection.

Sometimes the single-minded focus on an A really becomes an obstacle to learning and it’s no fun to watch as an educator. I really enjoy the students who are academic risk-takers and see non-careless errors as a lessons learned rather than something devastating to their future. I currently teach a very bright student who is grappling with such high anxiety that I fine-tooth comb everything I write or say for possible triggers and have eliminated several challenging group or whole class tasks that mom identified as potential minefields.

Balance is really key. I was an anxious, grade-driven child myself. I think school would have been a lot more fun for me if some teacher had insisted I try the riskier topic or method and my parents had pushed me to develop non-academic interests after ES.

Curious, outside-the-box thinkers who are kind.

-Ask questions when they don’t understand
-speak up
-are kind
-stay away from drama

Funny and smart.

What is it about your favorite students that make them your favorite?