Summary
Highlights
Rita Pierson points out that while common reasons for students' struggles like poverty or low attendance are often discussed, the vital role of human connection and relationships is frequently overlooked. She describes emotional challenges faced when leading academically deficient classes.
Pierson recounts an experiment where she convinced her struggling students that they were chosen for her class because they were the 'best students' and she was the 'best teacher'. She taught them a powerful affirmation: "I am somebody. I was somebody when I came. I'll be a better somebody when I leave. I am powerful, and I am strong. I deserve the education that I get here. I have things to do, people to impress, and places to go."
Drawing from her family's educational background, Pierson shares how her mother, also an educator, went above and beyond by providing essential items like food, combs, and soap for students in need. She observed how these acts of kindness created deep, lasting relationships, with former students expressing gratitude for the positive impact her mother had on their lives years later. At her mother's funeral, a large number of former students highlighted the enduring legacy of her relational teaching.
Pierson concludes by stressing that every child needs a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists they achieve their best. While acknowledging the difficulty of this role, she asserts it is not impossible, believing that educators are naturally equipped to make a difference.