Alex

The district professional development on “Trauma-Informed Teaching Approaches” provided us some insight into a deeper understanding of our most challenging kids.  The first and most important take a-way from this approach is that the kid who’s pushing against you is probably the kid who needs you the most.  This is the kid who has somehow internalized “I’m bad”  “I’m not good enough” and often these kids come to us with a history of manipulation, coping mechanisms meant to cover up inadequacies, attention getters that aren’t socially appropriate, and on and on.  These are not bad kids – they are kids with serious needs. 

The first big commandment of this trauma understanding reminds us: Build a relationship with these students. They need to know the teacher likes and respects them, because many of them have not been able to trust authority figures and they need concrete proof we are on their side.  Relationship building activities can make a huge difference for traumatized students. 

And, we have a colleague in our midst who knows this commandment instinctively – Alex.  At the beginning of last year Alex was assigned as a mentor to one of our students who definitely fit into “the very challenging student” roster.  Little by little, activity by activity, doses by Alex of sending messages to this student “you matter”, “you are worth it” – brought this student to the realization that he was safe with Alex – he was comfortable with Alex – and he could learn with Alex and even heal.  

And, this year the student transferred to one of the Oak Park schools.  The student’s teacher was struggling with this student and called to ask for any input from any staff member who could help.  On Alex’s free day, he went to this student’s new school, met with his former mentee who was over joyed to see Alex.  The student proudly showed Alex around the school -  anyway, you get the picture.

Hats off to you, Alex – you do us proud – this student is forever changed for the better because you valued this young man.  You knew he wasn’t a bad kid – but a kid who got dealt a raw hand.  Your hand has strengthened his.  And you and he are both better for it. 

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