ABSTRACT
It is important for teachers not to make assumptions about a student's family. The lack of a father in the home does not guarantee the child is “at risk.” Take the time to get to know each student's family situation before declaring it to be deficient. A prevailing myth of early adolescence is that 10- to 15-year-olds increasingly turn to their peers for guidance. While young adolescents do need greater autonomy, they do not need or want a complete break with their parents and families. Teachers must find novel ways to communicate with families and involve those who may not be able to volunteer or visit the school. The transition to virtual learning during the recent COVID-19 pandemic has blurred the boundaries between school and home. When we require our students to participate in online class meetings such as Zoom with their cameras on, we are inviting ourselves into their homes without their permission. For some, this intrusion into the family's private space may be uncomfortable or even a source of embarrassment. Allowing teachers and classmates to peer into this most intimate space may cause young adolescents to feel exposed, vulnerable, and judged.
