Why Students Care (Or Don't)

Teachers are equipped to deal with learning disabilities. We have methods and procedures for overcoming language barriers, broken homes, and cognitive impairments. The biggest problem that we do not have a manual for is apathy. So what makes some students care and others not care, and why should we care? Those of us reading the Grit book have an answer to this question. While the author acknowledges that grit is naturally higher in some than others, grit can also be learned and grown in everyone. The first key to growing grit is finding a person's passion.

It seems like a no-brainer, but people tend to do better and grow more in areas that they have an interest. Our problem in schools, is that not every child comes to school with a genuine interest or passion for what we teach. In fact, some kids down right hate what we teach. So how do we move beyond that hate and generate a passion for what they do not like? Easy, build relationships first. All good teachers do it. A student may not care about what you teach, but they can care about you. I barely remember all of the things that I was taught in high school, but I do remember working to please my favorite teachers. Building a relationship with your students is an important first step, but it is not the only step. Leveraging that relationship toward understanding curriculum is what has to happen and that's the difficult part. Many teachers are good curriculum presenters or good relationship builders, but those that can make both happen are the ones that do the most good.

I wanted to say thank you again to those of you that have already taken the Positivity Challenge and I encourage the rest of you to jump in as well. It's never to late to appreciate others!