"The Light Bulbs Go Off"

In building teacher-students relationships, I am finding that students’ light bulbs are going off. The bulbs are going off for different reasons, but none the less they are shining bright. It is unfortunate that is has happened only after being in an alternative learning environment. Now, I believe in getting to know my students and finding out what I can do to help them be successful in transition back into a traditional learning setting and into society. My students usually feel comfortable talking to me, and I can honestly say that I am honored to have such close relationships with my students even if it is for a short period of time.

For many of my students they have not attended school for a long period of time. They have been consumed by peer-pressure and the fast life that school has been put on the back burner. They are more concerned with making a name for themselves than having their names printed on their high school diploma. Students are now slowly realizing that education is important because of their current situation. I ask them all the time, “what type of statistic do you want to be?”. I tell them that they are already at a disadvantage, but they have the power to change the direction of their future. They can do this by being committed to getting their education.

A high school diploma is everything. After numerous conversations and putting it into to their terms they finally get it. The light bulb goes off. Then all I hear is “Miss, you right, you right”.  In every moment, I challenge you to make those personal connections with your students.