As a future educator, it is our job to make sure each child reaches full potential in class as well as outside BUT teachers are not miracle workers (like everyone thinks they should be). After you have counseled this child, told him/her their options, and done all that you can do, the only thing that you can do now is to stand back and watch. We can only guide to a certain level. As the old saying goes, Charity begins at home. If the childs parents and the child himself cannot and does not care. Who are we to make him? You are a teacher, not a GOD. After all, after we have done all that we can do, (including prayer if this child has great potential) it is up to GOD or whatever higher power they or you believe in. I hope this helps out. Good luck on your quest!

The case may be that they feel like no one cares whether they are there or not and they don’t see their education as doing anything for them. It’s my belief that if you talked a whole lot to them and showed them you care and you want them in school and talk to them about different ways it is in their best interest to stay, you might actually make a difference. You never know as a teacher exactly what it is each student needs and all one of these “drop-outs” may need is someone to express and interest and caring in their (the student’s) future. I know, I know, some of them are going to continue to fail, continue to disrupt class, continue to fight against the system until the system throws them out and is done with them or until they reach the age they can just leave. My duty, however, is to do everything in my power to guide these students to higher learning and an increased desire to do their absolute best. I know, somewhere in my career, I WILL change a student’s belief that they are unworthy, unloveable, powerless, etc. and I never know which one that may be. Until they are no longer in my school, they are on my radar and I’ll fight to show them how special they truly are.

I can only speak for myself, not for other teachers.

It’s really sad & depressing to a teacher knowing you have a student WITH potential, just blowing his/her life away. And I truly DO believe that every student has potential to go on to be someone great. It’s heart-wrenching when you try to get through to a student-find some little crack to get through and you start to see some improvements. But, then the kid goes back to his/her old ways. It’s frustrating as a teacher because sometimes you really want to shake some sense into the kid and you see so many intelligent kids making such horrible decisions.

It always sounds like a case of “sour grapes” for a student to say they don’t care. I usually don’t believe them, I think deep down they care. Yet, they may not view dropping out as failure they way teachers do. Any number of factors may be going on in their lives. I think teachers need to remain unbiased and give students the information they need to be the best they can and at least have provided them with choices and alternatives.

As far as what I think…I have learned not to pass judgment on these kids as sometimes they are dealing with some pretty horrific issues outside of school. When you are raising your siblings, supporting a family, about to become a parent, dealing with abusive parents, or involved in drug/alcohol issues…academics can be the farthest things from a students mind.

Sometimes, when teachers take the time to reach out to students and provide a little extra support and TLC…it can go a long way.

Every school year I pick a few target kids to work with who are at risk of failing/dropping out. I meet with them frequently and check up with them. I make a point of making personal connections with them. I can’t make miracles happen, but I know that I have tried.

One student that I worked with last year did drop out…but he returned this year after realizing how hard it is to not have an education and to find meaningful employment…he checks in with me and asks for help to keep him on track. Recently he asked me to help him with college applications – something that I would have NEVER imagined coming from his mouth last school year! I feel very fortunate that he trusts me and asks for my assistance.

I think about Marva Collins and how she saw it as her job to inspire the kids to want to learn and excel. Every teacher ought to read her book “The Marva Collins’ Way.”