So, what is the point of school, anyway???

This is an all-too-common question that students ask themselves on countless occasions.  Sometimes, on a daily basis.  Why?  Well, the answer speaks for itself.  What child enjoys waking up early of a morning when they could use a few more hours of sleep?  What child would prefer to spend the majority of their day away from their home, family, and all of their special possessions?  And, what child enjoys being told that they have to stay on task, and can only speak when the teacher allows them to do so?  Just as the text offers these examples, it also concludes that the average student is wary of school, the environment, and their teacher, until they reach a point where they feel a sense of belonging, understanding, and finally, a belief that what they are learning in school is applicable to themselves and their lives.

So, how is this done?  That is for the teacher to figure out and put into practice.  Students yearn to be heard, to be loved, and to be treated as valuable individuals.  This is not possible unless the teacher takes it upon themselves to truly know each of their students, and not just their general class as a whole.  

"'Come play with me,"says the teacher.  "Come do what I ask you to do.'  

'I can't,' says the student, 'at least not until you connect with me.  Oh, I'll go through the motions, of course.  But give myself to the adult thing called school?  Not unless you connect with me (pg. 15).'"

Is this too much for students to ask for?  How invested are we, as educators, in our children?  As a future teacher, I plan to make sure I never fail to remind myself daily of the reasons why I have chosen the career path, and what I need to do to make it a successful one.  Yes, the teacher is in charge of steering the ship, but it is up to the students to guide the teacher as to what they desire and need along the journey.

(Ideas and focus based upon chapter 2)