A Heavier Burden than Most Adults
Truly knowing your students beyond academics is one of the most powerful tools a teacher can have. Students are sometimes carrying burdens heavier than most adults. Years ago, a student’s unkempt appearance and unsafe, disruptive behaviour was deeply concerning. He constantly lived in the Jungle, often making very direct and personal verbal attacks on staff and it took constant work to give him a genuine fresh start every day. We learned he living in a garage, amid violence, drinking energy drinks to stay awake at night and coming to school because it was the only place he felt safe. It turned out the “naughty little monkey” was actually a terrified little monkey.
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