Emotions trump Teaching

Isn't that a statement for a sit down and think?
Our students emotions about life, and their learning should be the most important things to us as teachers. We have an opportunity to engage our students in a loving community, filled with emotionally structured care. We as teachers are able to help these kids feel successful and invite them to take on anything that is thrown at them. Sure there will be end of year testing which we have to prepare our students for, but at the base of it all, how do our students feel in our classroom?

In our recent class period we talked a little bit about the book, "The little Prince" which had some great comparisons to how we can teach and differentiate in our classrooms. Much of the story is about the taming of a young boy and the taming of a fox. We made connections by saying that "taming" that should happen in the classroom is a vulnerability that is shared between teacher and student. If we as teachers expect our students to be themselves, we have to be ourselves also. Whether that means breaking out of our shell and showing our true personality, singing to our kids, making fun of ourselves, or sharing (within reason) difficult times in our lives. If we do these things will confidence and kindness, our students will follow, and the result will be a calm and understanding classroom where emotions "trump" teaching. But when this phrased is used, it isn't meant to say that teaching isn't important, because it is.
That's the whole reason we are teachers! To teach these students to be better people and give them the necessary knowledge to progress and make large strides in their future education. But if we do not rely on the fact that the emotional welfare of our students is important, than we have lost an opportunity to truly be teachers.