Everybody is Somebody's Baby

Those are probably some of the wisest words I've been taught while teaching. It is so easy to classify kids solely on their behavior in my classroom. However, I don't teach in a vacuum. Every one of my students has his/her own life outside the walls of our campus. A few years ago, one of my friends shared an idea with me where I ask the parents/guardians to essentially "brag" about their children. I hand it out on the first day of school emphasizing it is "homework" for their parents/guardians. The kids love that. I also give my students bonus points for returning it. The best part about it is that I learn so much about my students that they would probably never share on their own.

If any of my teaching friends ever need a good idea, use this one! I will be happy to send you the form I use.

Here are some things I've learned about my students after knowing them for a couple of days:

• One young man is so proud of his heritage, he will study ON HIS OWN and share what he learns with his mom. Way cool.
• One student has many siblings and lost one to swine flu. Can you imagine having to deal with that as a teenager?
• A single parent was bed ridden after severe surgery and her son stepped up to take care of her and the rest of the family (all younger siblings). HE IS 16!
• I have a young lady who not only loves One Direction but also wants to be a marine biologist.
• Many parents describe their students as respectful and kind and helpful and sweet. I kind of like going into the school year with that idea in my head instead of the cynical notion that teenagers are the pits.

I wish I could type in the exact words each parent/guardian used because I actually teared up with some of these. There is genuine pride pouring forth from every one of the papers. (I just promise to keep this as confidential as possible, so I can only give generalities.) It is amazing the different way a teacher views her students after learning so much about them right from the start.

Part of the "bragging" is also anything the parents/guardians would like me to work on with their student. They are pretty honest. I see a lot of "he just needs to be pushed" or "her writing could be stronger." And almost all of them assure me they are ready to support my efforts and will include their phone number. 

It boils down to setting the right tone for the school year. I realize these kids aren't perfect and will find ways to drive me up the wall. Yet, I can always come back to these "essays" and remember the positive and potential within each of them. I can find a way to make it back to the students described by their parents/guardians, and that is pretty awesome.