In fact, here's a recent news article about two such students: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/56216146-78/story.csp
It's all about ONE person that makes the difference. If you watch Grey's Anatomy, you will hear Derek and Christina talk about Meredith as their "person." This person is the one you talk to about everything. The one that lifts your spirits when you are down. The one that pushes you to excellence. The one that will tell you like it is. The one that you can count on, no matter what.
This is what our students need- a "person." Someone that believes that they can become everything they ever wanted to be. Not just superficially, but deep down inside. Children have the knack of seeing through the superficial "You can do it!" and "You're so smart!" They need a person who truly believes in them. You may or may not be every student's "person," but if you believe, truly believe, that your students can excel, you just may turn into their "person."
Not everyone is cut out for working with students in poverty. Are you? Check out this link to see if you meet the standard! http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/voice/voice142.shtml
Not everyone is cut out for working with students in poverty. Are you? Check out this link to see if you meet the standard! http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/voice/voice142.shtml
This post really grabbed my attention. I love the question you pose. I think neither nature nor nurture fully decide a person's future and it's a mix of both. Certainly some behaviors are observed and learned from parents, peers, etc but are people really just a carbon copy of their world?
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to read and hear about so many stories where teachers have made such a difference by being those "people."
Love your post!
I love your reference to Grey's, I love the show by the way! It really fits your blog because lots of kids do not have "a person" they can really rely on or talk to in the poverty schools. Parents are not focused on their kids and there is just no support. I would love to be a child's "person" one day. I would love to have a story to tell like so many others do.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so important for kids to have a person. You may not always know that you were that person for someone, but when they come back and tell you the significance you had in their life makes it all worthwhile. I strive for my classroom to be a safe place and it can always be found as a haven for kids during lunch or after school. They know they are safe and that they can trust me and the environment. So incredibly important.
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