Culturize: Every Student. Every Day. Whatever It Takes.

by Jimmy Casas

maintain communication as a courtesy.

most effective communication is face-to-face or by phone.

3. Recognize that it is okay to ask for help. Sometimes talking to the student isn’t enough.

look at a student who is failing despite all our best efforts and recognize that something needs to change.

The decisions we face as educators can be quite complex and leave us feeling vulnerable. Sometimes we must be willing to stand up for what we believe is right and advocate for those who don’t know how to advocate for themselves.

As teachers we need to push kids to learn at high levels. We must not be afraid to make exceptions for some kids who may need extra time or extra help to complete the required work. Whatever you do, hold them accountable for learning and don’t allow students to submit work that is not of high quality.

Being willing to treat kids differently does not negate the demand for high standards. It simply means that we are willing to recognize that different students have different needs, and it is okay to treat them accordingly.

we have been led to believe that a student who is reading four, five, or even six grade levels below where they should be cannot do grade-level course work. On the contrary, we must do everything we possibly can to ensure all students are receiving grade-level content while receiving the necessary one-on-one support to continue to grow and develop their literacy skills. A student who never receives grade-level content will never attain the level we all hope for them to achieve. This is because they are never exposed to, much less expected to learn, grade-level material. We instead relinquish them to another teacher, program, or classroom to work.

“How can you expect others to do what you are not willing to do yourself?”

‘What we model is what we get?’”

some of the greatest rewards in life come from persevering through difficult times.

What is important to remember is that working with all students, regardless of their level, takes time, patience, a positive attitude, and a certain level of persistence to inspire our children to believe they can do anything! Even our most talented students must work hard at their writing, and there will still be moments when self-doubt begins to creep in. It is in these moments, more than ever, that our children need a champion, regardless of their abilities, to push them forward. They need to know that we are by their side.

Start writing and keep writing your thoughts down on paper. Once you see your thoughts written down, you will be able to piece them together. Get the negative thoughts out of your mind and believe in yourself. Don’t be afraid of what others will think; everyone has something to contribute. Forget about what it looks and sounds like. Just write. It only takes one person to relate to your story. Honor your impact. Embrace your vulnerability. Give of yourself and don’t be afraid to share your story. Reach out to others whom you trust to “check you” back into perspective. It is normal to experience writer’s block. It happens to everyone, even the best writers. Write for you. Reflection is powerful and necessary for individual growth.

Over time they have managed to figure out ways to “get by” while not only lacking the necessary skills on how to write a quality paper, but also lacking the necessary confidence to do so. If we want students progressing through school year after year having developed the necessary writing skills to be successful students, then we must support classroom teachers by partnering with them to ensure we are providing all students with “real” writing experiences, not only at school but at home. We need to provide structure, specific strategies, quality feedback, direction, support, and modeling on a consistent basis. Strong writers are nurtured by adults who share quality examples, ask relevant and meaningful questions, accept different forms, provide a place and time to inspire personal written reflection, encourage collaboration, and of course, celebrate and honor their writing through publication or media of some sort. By adults personally investing in each child’s writing, I believe students at all levels can shine and become great writers with you as their champion by their side.

all children deserve to have the adults in their school community take time to listen to them when they have something to share.

Listen to kids

even if it sounds like whining or complaining, resist the reflex to cut them off.

while we tend to be hypercritical of what we perceive as selfish behavior in our students, we need to keep our own complaints in check if we want people to listen to us.)

ask clarifying questions to further understand their position.

Once you understand the situation, your initial response may be to fix the problem.

there are many problems we can fix and make the student happy—at least initially. But that doesn’t mean taking over and providing the solution is the right thing to do or is even in the best or long-term interest of the student. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to listen and learn more about the issue and then help the students come up with their own solutions. ARM Yourself for Tough Conversations Not fixing an issue for someone can be a difficult choice, especially when we know that harsh feelings are sure to follow, either from the student or even a parent. Sometimes you know going into a conversation that the person with the need or complaint will have to take responsibility to fix the problem. You are simply there to be the sounding board or perhaps provide direction.

be strategic in my thoughts, decisions, and actions.

being mindful not to minimize the impact my response could have on others.

create an environment where people feel listened to and validated.

“unARMed,” or in other words, not having taken the time to think through a scenario which could have the potential to unravel or have a negative outcome.

Acknowledge—Successful people enter every conversation focused on the other person. Recognize that relationships with others are the most important factor in cultivating a culture of trust and influence. Invest your time, energy, and concern in an empathetic way. Approach each situation with an...

Rectify—Strong teachers and leaders recognize that it is possible to stay calm and rationally seek solutions even in the midst of chaos. Communicate and model the importance of rectifying the dilemma—addressing the issue, not simply the symptoms—with the available resources.

help the person find ways to make the best of the situation. Be supportive, regardless of your role in the process, but also be willing to accept that not every problem is yours to “fix.”

Move On—Effective teachers and leaders have a unique ability to accept their circumstances and move on rather than spend time and energy dwelling on things that are beyond their control. If you have played a part in creating the problem, it is crucial that you quickly take responsibility by adm...

the most effective educators don’t stigmatize mistakes made by themselves or others, because doing so creates a culture where students and staff members fear making mistakes. Failure is often the first ingredient in the recip...

reflect on each experience in a strategic way to improve their chances for future success.

it is imperative that we intentionally create opportunities to spend time with students.

every adult at a school should strive to connect with students.

carve out time for students and staff to talk with and learn from one another.

Take inventory of where you are not being efficient with your time (meetings come to mind; limit them to one hour) and begin putting processes into place that result in more efficient use of your time.

no element more critical for school success than for a staff to believe and behave in a manner that m...

creating a common vision and agreeing upon values that ho...

holding educators accountable for delivering quality content in meaningful ways and cultivating positive, perso...

students are our most preciou...

Teachers and building leaders must be prepared to support one another during challenging times with students and their parents.

our best chance for success comes from working through difficult moments together with a non-critical eye, protecting each other rather than placing blame when we don’t achieve the desired outcome.

Success often comes down to each individual acting with courage and engaging in tough conversations.

we work with children/young adults who in most cases have not developed the ability to think beyond the short term.

It is imperative that we don’t make their behavior about us. Our focus must always be on the learning opportunities that lie before us, not just for the student but for us as well.

set the tone for those experiences

never leave a student asking, “Why won’t he or she just listen to me?”

Never underestimate the impact that purposeful and positive engagement with students can have on a school community. And never pass up an opportunity to smile and greet a student in a positive way. After all, students are inher...

Students are not an interruption of our work; they are the purpose of it.

They are entitled to our service.

they are human beings with feelings and emotio...