Some things that stood out to me in this chapter was the idea of teaching kids how to take risks. Then reading things about the stuff that kids are going through, the pressures they feel from peers and parents, and how these things are big contributors to whether or not a student thrives in school. The quote "...teachers will have to believe in what their students can do, even when real-life stresses make their "best efforts" fall short" (p. 62) really stood out to me in this chapter.
As a student, I can relate to this chapter very well. My best success in the classroom have been with teachers, or professors who have pushed me to do my very best, and never accepted anything but my best. When I become a teacher, I want to be able to read a student and know how much I can push them, so that I can have them reach their full ability of a student. I understand the pressures students feel from parents, and peers. My parents always pushed me to do my best, but then I always felt I had to assume the role of slacker with my friends. So I would push myself, but just enough to please my parents, but not to my full ability. As a teacher, the quote above really called out to me. Because I hope that I will always be able to see what my students are able to do, but also be able to take into consideration what it is that they have going on outside of school. Having a teacher who realizes this will be very important to the students, and they will appreciate the understanding. (I know I did when I was a student).
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