Love and understanding of children

AUTHOR and international speaker Barbara Coloroso said "If kids come to us [educators/teachers] from strong, healthy functioning families, it makes our job easier. If they do not come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes our job more important."

It is easy to love children that have good manners and are happy and involved. The real task for the teacher though is to love students who are not as “lovable”. They might be mean, sullen, and even deceitful. While it can be challenging to maintain a high level of impartiality, great teachers actively cultivate ways to show love and concern for all the learners regardless of who they are.

Teachers absolutely cannot choose their students. Empowered teachers accept the diverse nature of learners. They tap into their inner curiosity about what makes individuals tick and chart innovative courses to meet a variety of unique needs. Instead of finding slow learners and problem students a vexation, these educators see these cases as challenges that bring out the heart and soul of a teacher.

A great teacher realizes that if he is able to find a way to love and understand each child, there might be a way to help him or her thrive. The best way to gain this sort of love is to learn more about the child. They are the way they are because of everything that has happened in their life.

Great teachers are compassionate towards children. They are patient, understanding, and kind. They put themselves in their students' shoes and imagine what the students are thinking and feeling, thus anticipating what they need in order to learn and thrive. When a student is struggling, compassionate teachers hide their frustration and refrain from making disdainful comments that only make the situation worse. Instead, great teachers will try anything and everything in order to reach each student. When their students enter the classroom each morning, they can instantly sense that the teacher is there for them, with a high energy enthusiasm that makes learning anything more exciting. (Brenda Bal-iyan)