If we throw out the old classic, Maslow's Hierarchy, then we know that building a safe environment, relationships included, that students will then have a foundation they can grow out of.
By examining this research based model, we can all understand that students have basic needs, psychological needs, and a need for self-fulfillment. Now, this all seems to be common sense when you say it out loud, but the problem is with the outside world observing education. We all know that we need to have these needs met to be successful and we also know that a frighteningly large number of students do not have these needs met on a daily basis. When we engage in conversations about needing more support, more funding for social programs in schools, and other similar engagements, we are shunned. It turns on the building administration or the teachers themselves as to why students are failing tests or classes.
Teachers do the best they can, I believe, to build a safe environment where students feel they belong. I also know several teachers who try to provide for physiological needs like food, clothing, and rest. That falls well outside of the "job description" of a teacher, although just about every teacher understands they must provide fro these needs.
So teachers must walk a fine line with their students. We cannot effectively teach students until they have certain needs met, but we cannot spend all of our time providing those needs lest the educational value of the institution decrease. Teachers must sometimes become aware that they are breaking even with students.
Breaking even means that we are providing those base needs, and because we have to provide that, then some days education doesn't happen at the level we would like it to. It means that sometimes I'm giving out more hugs and high fives than I am graded assignments. I'm A-Okay with that, it's the reason why I do the work.
There's a dark side to this building of the basic needs in the classroom that teachers seldom like to say out loud. When we break even and we have to shelve some content related items, it means that we are constantly behind. Add that up over the course of the year and all of the sudden it becomes clear how kids struggle with end of year testing/standardized tests. They have gone so long just trying to build a base for themselves that they are unable to keep up with where state or federal governments want them to be.
The question we, as a society, have to ask ourselves is this; what do we want our teachers to be providing our students and what roles do teachers play in the whole development of our young people? It truly does take a village to raise children, but what do we do if the village doesn't have the ability or resources to raise children? What happens if politicians and those with certain agendas convince the voting populous to not give what is actually needed to raise children. I have pretty conservative fiscal views, so I'm not asking voters to spend more and more tax dollars on things that aren't working. I'm calling for people to work with teachers. Can a world exist where politicians, teachers, parents, students, and other community stakeholders can work together?
Education shouldn't be a trade-off to break even between raising a child and educating a child. That is the stark reality we live with in certain districts. I love my students who have to fight and claw their way to the top. I know that for some students I may be the only positive adult in their life and that is only for a few hours a day. Some days I have to break even between raising and educating, and I'm fine with that. These students are my kids and I will care for them always--but it's time for those higher powers to place that kind of importance on our students.
Best,
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