BALANCING THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS

Educators nationwide are faced with the challenge of balancing fairness for all students. While they must care for all students, they must also balance the needs of one with the equal treatment of all.

In short, teachers and administrators must value not only the students they teach, but also every member of the learning community.

As leaders in the school, teachers must value healthy relationships with students, co-workers, family, and friends. This helps them remain true to themselves, and to maintain their mental health which is a responsibility as a human being.

However, they need more than values. Educators need to act to create a more just and caring learning community. In this community, students must be honest, organized and prepared.

There must also be a discussion of acceptable and unacceptable behaviours among everyone involved – faculty, administration, parents, and students. They must be welcomed into the conversation so that the entire learning community has the opportunity to voice their concerns and share their perspectives.

It is imperative that students be brought into the discussion. They should not be treated as human beings who cannot act or think for themselves. Allowing them to participate in the discussion shows respect for their ideas and their concerns. This will also increase their willingness to follow the community guidelines that are established as a cooperative effort.

Unless students respect themselves and feel comfortable with whom they are, they will be unable to respect others and to accept those who are different from them.

--oOo— The author is Teacher III at Remedios Elementary School, Lubao East District.