"She can't afford to miss my class."

The Right Teacher

Struggling students do not succeed because they are in the right class. They succeed because they have the right teacher.

Some students are easy to teach. They come prepared, cooperate, and show respect. But teachers make their greatest impact with the students who are hardest to teach.

Some students struggle with behavior. Others carry burdens that no child should have to carry. The right teacher doesn't excuse inappropriate behavior or lower expectations—but they also refuse to define a child by their worst moments.

Instead...

They show empathy.

They build relationships.

They help students feel valued and connected.

They look beyond the behavior to understand what may be causing it.

And when everyone else is ready to give up, they keep believing.

I'll never forget the day I assigned Erica to the alternative school. She was disruptive, had a bad attitude, and many of her teachers were relieved to see her leave the building.

But one teacher came to my office with an unusual request.

"Can Erica get a pass to walk back here for third period?" he asked.

I explained that students assigned to the alternative school weren't supposed to return to campus during the day.

He quietly replied, "She has to be here. She can't afford to miss my class."

I almost cried.

That teacher wasn't thinking about convenience or classroom management. He was thinking about a child who still needed someone to believe in her.

That's the kind of compassion struggling students need.

In this next school year, there are students who will only make it because one teacher refuses to give up on them.

Because one teacher is patient.

Because one teacher is flexible.

Because one teacher sees potential where others only see problems.

For some students, you are the right teacher.

Thank you for being that teacher.

Cheers!

Danny