ABSTRACT

It is easy for educators to allow reputations and hearsay to shape their opinions and expectations of the year to come. To be sure, some students have a history of making poor choices, and it would appear that they have earned their “reputation.” However, there are also teachers who allow their new year to be a new year for their students as well. It is better when teachers ignore the gossip and refuse to accept the prevailing narrative for these students. The high expectations of these teachers allow these students the opportunity to build a new reputation to write a new story for themselves. We all make mistakes, and all of us deserve a fresh start a shot at redemption. A teacher needs to help the students "turn the corner.".