It is true, certainly in the United States, that one can move from one class to another through education and hard work. Of course, obtaining the level of education needed may be more difficult for one person than another, but it can be done. Where there is a will, there is a way.
As educators, we can assist each of our students in developing the will necessary to learn and achieve their goals. The first step is providing a comfortable and interesting learning environment for our students. This can get our students engaged and give us the opportunity to discover the student's interests and dreams.
The next step is to help the student decide on a plan of action to achieve their current dream. This dream may change from year to year and that's okay. The important thing is that the student has a high goal and is constantly aware of why they are trying to master the current skills. We want to make the skills relevant to their dream, even as their dream changes.
Another important key is to help the parents understand the importance of their role in encouraging their child's dream, as well as their skill development in school. Even a parent who is overworked and too tired to help with homework can help the child achieve simply by letting the child know they care about the child's progress.
As teachers we can help encourage this parent involvement by making the initial contact with the parent, finding out the preferrred method of communication, and if there is anything about their situation or their child that the parent would like us to better understand.
With teachers who make the learning relevant to the student's current goal, which can be developed in a class exercise at the beginning of the year, the student can become aware of how important education is to a better life. This and even a little parent involvement can encourage young people to do the hard work to achieve their life goals.
If this kind of approach is implemented at an early age, the student can continue the process throughout their education. Constantly assessing where they want to be someday, what skills they need to get there and remind themselves of the reward they will get for their efforts now. They can improve their place in life by giving thought to what they might want someday and what it takes to get there, then doing the hard work to make it happen
