Every teacher has their own unique style of teaching. Some like to lecture while others prefer to show videos to their classes. Just as preferred teaching methods vary from teacher to teacher, how much information about their personal lives they share with their students varies as well.

“[I share] a lot; more than I probably should,” Mr. Hendricks said. “My kids know all about my grandkids. They know a lot of the time what I did over the weekend.”

Mrs. Hyer on the other hand shares “very little” of her personal life with her students. “I may share some funny personal stories or something,” Hyer said, “but not very often.

Senior Rachel Nord has also noticed that teachers have varying degrees of what they feel comfortable telling their students. “I feel like some teachers are more open with their students and others aren’t,” said Nord.

Allowing students a glimpse into their teachers personal lives can sometimes be unnecessary, but can also provide teaching moments that would have otherwise been missed.

“I teach by analogy a lot so I’ll tell the kids something that happened to me and then connect it to something that we’re working on,” said Hendricks, “[Sharing personal things] humanizes the teacher with the students and it helps them to connect.”

Mr. Parrish said, “I think when appropriate it is okay for teachers to show that they have a life outside of school and use that to help teach.”

“I think you shouldn’t be afraid to share a little,” said Hyer, “In order to connect to the class you need to share a little bit about yourself.”