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Describe a recent time when you’ve been discouraged with a student’s progress. Have you witnessed a change in the student’s life, or are you still waiting for that change to occur?
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Still waiting.
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“Lily” seemed more interested in grabbing attention from her friends than in learning. She more often forgot to do her homework than not, she failed most assessments, and she seemed often distracted. I learned that she lives with a single mother who needs to work long hours to support and send Lily to school. With a tutor spending extra time on content with her, and stopping at her desk more regularly, we were able to get her a passing grade for the year. She is an excellent artist and providing her with opportunities to learn with art was helpful. We are still waiting for her to refocus her purposes and priorities but have seen some growth in her academics.
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I had a student who just graduated, who constantly had a victim mentality. Although myself and their other teachers consistently worked with them to realize that God was writing their story the way it was supposed to go, they left our school with the same mindset as when they came in.
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I am not yet in the classroom, but can speak to this with my own children. My twin boys are 21 and I’m just not sure where they are in their walk with Christ. They have the foundation of a Christian education, but I know their relationship with God is their own. I am here to for them and I will continue to pray – but it is between them and God. I plan to take a similar approach with my students.
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This past year was very challenging. Although I had a few students that discouraged me due to little progress, in their behavior and or academics, I had my hopes on one particular student. Because I had invested so much time with this student and his parents, sharing the gospel with him, encouraging him, correcting him, showing him affection, spending time with him, visiting him, and supporting and communicating with the parents, I expected to see fruit. But I didn’t. The more attention I gave him the more it seemed to ignite him to act worse. It was an everyday battle and a constant one throughout the day. Despite my discouragement, God was merciful to remind me that He does the watering and gives the increase. Although I didn’t see any chances in him, I believe what God started, He will finish, in His time.