Schools and Teachers

Despite all the other issues facing schools right now, teachers still have to try to reach their students, and students still have to succeed. There are a couple ways to help this happen:

• Set goals for yourself. Research as shown that people that set goals are more likely to reach those goals. In other words, if you want to do well on your tests, set that as a goal for yourself. I know it may sound silly, but one of the biggest secrets to doing better is to try to do better, and you can't try to do better until you decide you want to.
  • Your teachers and counselors should help you to set your goals. Be sure to ask them where they think you should go and what they think you can achieve, and work with them to exceed your own expectations.

Calvin won't go far with that attitude.

• Teachers and students very often come from different cultures from each other. It is important that teachers recognize that they need to find the best way to reach their students. And many teachers try very hard to do that. Unfortunately, though, teachers are only human. If you have a teacher that is talking about something you don't understand, you should ask questions. Share your point of view. Teach others about your culture and your viewpoint. This will help the teacher to understand where you're coming from and it will help you to learn better.
• Unfortunately there are a lot of complicated reasons why students don't do well in school. Some of it is culture, some of it is teachers, and the rest of it is a tangled mess. But the fact is that all students can succeed. Sometimes it seems like too much to overcome, but in the end the best tool you have is to believe in yourself. It's that simple (as if believing in yourself is simple). Good luck with your classes!