Knowing Your Students and Fresh Starts

Truly knowing your students beyond academics is one of the most powerful tools a teacher can have. Often, student’s ‘messy emotions’ are justified, as sometimes they are carrying burdens heavier than most adults. Years ago, EM’s unkempt appearance and unsafe, disruptive behaviour deeply concerned his teachers and I. After some serious digging (even involving QLD Police…yes add detective to your job title), I learned EM was 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.

EM constantly lived in the jungle, often making very direct and personal verbal attacks on the teacher. It took constant work for myself and teachers to give him a genuine fresh start every day. I had previous to this case, learnt the hard way, that students can see through ‘pretend’ fresh starts! Now, in post consequence conversations, I literally rip up the behaviour incident documents with the student to symbolise that a fresh start is being given. Symbolism can be a powerful tool.