If we do nothing else as educators this year and every year we must go out of our way to help our neediest students. By needy I mean the students who are always in trouble, who don't like school, who never have their homework, and who may have little support at home. The students who other educators warn us about. These students know failure all too well. Lets make it our mission that this year they also taste some success. I love working with "problem" children and try to make it my mission to be their champion. Below is what I think is important in making strides with these students.
Respect
The start of most meaningful relationships begins with respect. Kids who are used to getting in trouble are going to be surprised when you show them respect and kindness. It is amazing the difference just showing students kindness can make. Shake their hands. Ask them how they are doing. Be kind to them, especially at times they may not expect it because of their choices.
ListenWhen you talk with students ask them questions and find out what makes them tick. The goal is to engage all students. It helps if we know what they are about in order to prove to them why school can be relevant for them. Learn their names and call them by it every chance you get. This is a small thing that adults can do that goes a long way. Find out what they are interested in. What do they do for fun? What hobbies or extracurricular activities are they involved in? I learned last week that one of the students at my school has been assigned the chore of feeding his familily's chickens and dogs. You better believe I will be asking him how the chickens are doing this week. By listening to students we gain valuable information that can help us connect and reach them.
Be Fair and at times LenientStudents who are habitually in trouble are not going to be very afraid of the consequences. However, we can build rapport with them by showing that we will give them chances and that we are not going to throw the book at them every chance we get. Students need to understand that last year is the past and that you are going to help give them a fresh start. One mistake us educators make is to categorize and hold low expectations for students. Too often they will meet our expectations, however high or low they are. Treat them fairly. Explain to them the process. We must have the ability to discipline students without disrespecting them. Being lenient does not mean that we let students walk over us. One of my personal favorite strategies is to forgive students for a small mistake and then remind them of that leniency down the road. This is a very easy strategy to implement yet I have found it to be quite effective. I have found success with students trying to "pay me back" by making good choices.
Talk with students and Keep it Real with themStudents appreciate it when you keep it real with them. They don't want to be treated like they are babies, dumb, or as if they don't understand. Explain to them the real ramifications of continuously making poor choices. Students with a history of getting in trouble need to learn that every interaction with an authority figure will not be a negative one. It is our job to prove this to them with every opportunity we have. Speak to them by using their jargon. Find out what their nicknames are. It is important to learn about students interests and what makes them "tick" we can help them make goals that are related to their hopes and interests. Again if we can figure out what is important to them we are more likely to make an impact with them. I also like to tell them personal stories from my school days. I share choices that I am proud of and stories that include times that I would like to have had a do-over. They love to hear that we are not perfect. I think it is also important to show them that we can overcome most of life's mistakes.
Help Students Taste SuccessWe must set students up to be successful. Give them accomplishable tasks that will help them gain recognition. Ask them to lead the pledge of allegiance over the intercom. Volunteer them to help carry materials to a teacher's classroom. Use your knowledge of what they are good at to give them jobs that they can be successful with. When students are successful be sure to celebrate the success and then give them an obtainable next step. In closing, we must do everything that is within our power to help students be successful. Please don't ever give up on a student. Be a champion for our students who need us the most.
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