Struggling Students Do Not Succeed Because They Are in the Right Class; They Make It because They Have the Right Teacher.

Some students are easy to teach: They are prepared, cooperative, and respectful. But teachers make the most difference with the ones who are hard to teach. Some kids seem to have a hard time behaving, but the right teacher does not give up on them. When a student misbehaves it is not because they like being in trouble. The right teachers get that. They do not lower the bar, but they seek to understand what might be motivating the bad behavior. They show empathy. They build a relationship. They work to help that student feel valued and connected. They believe in that student when others do not.