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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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From this past year, two students come to mind. Both students are in middle school and act out in sorts whether it’s to get attention or due to home life. The first student acts out for attention. He tries to be “cool” but often times distracts students and ends up getting in trouble. Teachers and staff pray for him often. We hope that this summer things will turn around for him and God continues to soften his heart. The other student has a tough life outside of school. I won’t describe it all, but he is in constant prayer within our staff and school community. He is in a similar boat behavior-wise and getting into some trouble, but does not act out for attention. He is a bit quieter and does not like attention. Both boys are covered in prayer, but continued prayers are being sent out on their behalf. I would love to see them being covered this next year by faith-based role models and in truth by teachers and peers.
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In my position I have the privilege of teaching students over several years. Watching them grow like this has been very encouraging to me. I can think of some students who I taught in 4th grade who were very challenging. It was frustrating to watch them struggle with academics and/or behavior. But by 7th or 8th grade when they were in one of my courses I could see definite growth–not that they had “arrived” but they were well on their way. When I am frustrated with a student’s apparent lack of progress, I remember others like these, and it reminds me that we are playing a long game. We might not be the one to see the progress if it happens in later years, but we keep praying and doing our part.
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Funny that this question would come today. This student just emailed me. We are two weeks into the summer and his email wasn’t earth-shattering – just a follow-up about school – but it was responsible. That right there is a heart change! I know that’s God working on his heart and encouraging mine.
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During this school year I had a student that really discouraged me with his progress throughout this year. I definitely prayed about this student many times and worked very hard to work in this student’s life. I have been blessed to have him one more time in my course next year and I am continuing to pray for a change in this student’s life and heart.
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I have had several students the past couple years in whose progress I was discouraged about. In one instance the student has shown remarkable growth in the classroom. This particular students used to be more of a disruption to the course but through prayer and getting to know this student better I have seen positive change. There are still a few of my younger students who still need to mature. With God’s strength only am I able to show patience toward them.