Last year I took a different direction as a high school chaplain and it was an eye-opener to me as to how many students face lives I could never imagine: parent suicides, abuse, neglect, parents disappearing and uncaring, incest, suicidal thoughts, and so the list continues. It made me realise that many kids have parents and family failing them. School is the place where they spend a lot of time and it should be a place where instead of adding to the risk factors that could put their futures in serious detriment, it should be a place where they feel safe, encouraged and supported.
Without caring about our students, without getting to know our students (obviously not all will open up, but you'd be surprised how many do with little prompting) we can't address these issues, issues that are more important than school. Many of the students I listened to were unable to concentrate in class due to home life and felt that teachers never took the time to consider the difficulties they were experiencing. We have deadlines, curriculums to follow and progress to make but first and foremost is the wellbeing of our students. You don't know whose role-model you might be, but a positive word, a helpful hand, a kind gesture can go a long way not only in being the sunshine in a person's life, but it can help pave the way to resilience and helping cope when the stakes are high.
Resilience is about support, feeling part of something. Encourage a student to join a sport team or cultural activity, commend them on any positive behaviours, get to know them for who they are as a person and not based on their classroom behaviour or grades. We may not be super heroes, but we certainly can be kind and caring in a bitter and angry world.
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