Welcome back! It was a longer break than I had intended but better late than never, right? Last time I was discussing apathy in our students and how we can break them out of the attitudes and behaviors that can lead them down a path where they dislike learning. I want to focus on how some of the seemingly normal 'things' that we do as educators can actually be feeding into this state of our students. Let's start in the classroom.
Too often I see students in general ed classrooms just falling so far behind that their mantra becomes, "I'll never catch up, so what's the point?" We know the 'point' but try and explain that to a student who is disenfranchised by what they deem as 'nobody caring about them. Now, to be fair, when you work at small, rural schools like I do, then you have to be very creative because your options are limited. Content is not the issue here. Teachers know what they have to teach based on standards handed down from state and/or federal levels. Students may not like learning about fractions, for example, but we all dislike something that we have to do. This isn't about content but rather delivery and flexibility. Now before teachers come at me, telling me that they have X number of students and catering to each one of them is impossible, let me tell you that is not what I am saying. What I am saying is that being aware of the uniqueness in your classroom should be a strength of yours and your training should allow you to reach all of your students without leaving certain kiddos behind. Is it going to work 100% of the time? Absolutely not because there will always be students who, no matter how hard you try, just don't care. When that attitude stems from the parents, then it is tougher to break through, but it is still our job to try.
It's not just in the classroom either. The programs, clubs, athletics, and other supports that schools implement and utilize effectively, based on hard data, can also contribute to an increase in student involvement and a decrease in apathy. In the next blog we will look into creating a culture where everyone belongs and everyone is able to access their creativity.
Ciao!
Too often I see students in general ed classrooms just falling so far behind that their mantra becomes, "I'll never catch up, so what's the point?" We know the 'point' but try and explain that to a student who is disenfranchised by what they deem as 'nobody caring about them. Now, to be fair, when you work at small, rural schools like I do, then you have to be very creative because your options are limited. Content is not the issue here. Teachers know what they have to teach based on standards handed down from state and/or federal levels. Students may not like learning about fractions, for example, but we all dislike something that we have to do. This isn't about content but rather delivery and flexibility. Now before teachers come at me, telling me that they have X number of students and catering to each one of them is impossible, let me tell you that is not what I am saying. What I am saying is that being aware of the uniqueness in your classroom should be a strength of yours and your training should allow you to reach all of your students without leaving certain kiddos behind. Is it going to work 100% of the time? Absolutely not because there will always be students who, no matter how hard you try, just don't care. When that attitude stems from the parents, then it is tougher to break through, but it is still our job to try.
It's not just in the classroom either. The programs, clubs, athletics, and other supports that schools implement and utilize effectively, based on hard data, can also contribute to an increase in student involvement and a decrease in apathy. In the next blog we will look into creating a culture where everyone belongs and everyone is able to access their creativity.
Ciao!