Week 43 - Jimmy

"Education is helping the child realize his potentialities" - Erich Fromm

Jimmy challenged his teacher day after day.

The lesson was always interrupted to deal with some outburst or rule infraction. Mrs. Jenkins tried strict adherence to her discipline plan. She tried ignoring his behavior. She even tried bribing Jimmy. All these solution were short-lived. They were Band-Aids when only holistic care would do.

As all teachers do, Mrs. Jenkins knew her students quite well. She knew Jimmy's likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, gifts and talents. And she decided to try a combination approach that would address the whole child and not just his behavior.

Since Jimmy was artistic, Mrs. Jenkins gave him the responsibility of making posters. Since he worked better alone than in a group, she assigned him specific tasks at group times. And since he liked attention, she called on him for answers even before he could raise his hand.

In time, Jimmy's outbursts decreased. His productivity increased. Mrs. Jenkins had found a better way for Jimmy and for herself.

Try to always remember, your students are more than a set of behaviors. They are people who have needs, desires, and preferences. When problems arise, look past the situation and into the child.

Know your students well enough to identify what they need. Then give it to them.

Choose not to label your students by their behaviors. Help them evolve into someone better than they thought they could be.

Prompt: Recall a time when you were able to use a troublesome student's strengths to empower him to be successful.