Noticing the Need

I have long been a

strict believer that students do not learn if they are not connected to their teacher and learning environment.  Students that do not feel good about their learning situation are distracted while students that feel comfortable feel free to be themselves.  There isn't a distractive awareness lingering over them as they try to focus in comfortable settings.  Students that feel confident that their teachers like and care for them can let go of fears and be at their best, unimpeded and ready for learning.

Many of us take this idea very seriously and are very reflective and aware that we are bringing our best selves to the classroom for our students. Most of us are caring by nature as that is simply who we are and why we are teachers of children.  We want all of our kids to be happy, successful, and feel excited to the best them possible.

I have been thinking of 8 students out of my 171 total students in the past week.  They struggle.  They struggle academically. They are disconnected with most of their peers.  They are noticeable to anyone that might come into my classroom when they are in class.  They are disengaged with learning, almost as if it was an allergy- as if they were allergic to learning and growing.  There are times that they seem to try, but little works for them.  They are constantly frustrating their teachers and in the end, they present themselves as behavioral problems and distractions to the classroom environment.

These kids are stuck.

We, their teachers, are also stuck.

I have to wonder, are they stuck because of us?

Have they had that many bad learning experiences that they have checked out and can't find their way back to the learning?  Has it been that long for them by 7th grade that they are so far behind their confidence is also lost?

Regardless of the why or the how...these are the students that need us the most.  The need the connections. These connections are frustrating to attempt for all involved. We have so many other students and obligations that there is only so much time that we can devote to them. We get frustrated that we are not reaching these kids and often give up early.  These kids expect to be given up on.

We cannot continue this cycle for these kids.

I am going to stay with these kids for as long as it takes. They deserve it.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites