AVReading

   A lot of focus has been put upon fostering relationships with students, especially those who have become disengaged from their studies and from school. And yet, it is not easy.  To begin with, developing relationships takes time.  It also requires creativity in our approaches.  It involves both a willingness to be empathetic and to be emotionally involved, without becoming consumed by the pain and grief that the students might face each and every day.  It is also good to know healthy limits and boundaries to those relationships.  It’s not a popularity contest.  Our goal is not to be the cool, hip teacher who prioritizes fun and entertaining classes over meaningful learning experiences.              I’ve also learned, the hard way, that in some cases, those relationships simply will not happen.  I recall one student with whom I tried everything.  And with each...

           Expecting students to be motivated or engaged is a big ask.  When it comes to students who have struggled in school throughout their lives, it is especially difficult. And as those students progress through the system, it becomes more and more difficult to help them overcome self perceptions and beliefs that have been reinforced and ingrained in them for a significant portion of their  academic lives. For these students, the question is what can I possibly offer this student that will be different from what has already been tried with them in the past?  To address that question, we have to think more deeply about these obstacles to motivation.             As indicated above, the most common obstacle is past experience.  As students have met with repeated set-backs and disappointments with reading and school, they begin to accept a couple of beliefs: school...