The Five Secrets to Teaching At-Risk Students

The five secrets to teaching at-risk students are battle-tested. As a former at-risk student (academic issues, behavior problems, high need) who now teaches, I've learned first-hand that what goes around, comes around! Having worked with at-risk students, I've received my share of lumps. I've experienced verbal assault, threats, defiance, and minor nuclear explosions of anger in the classroom. On several occasions, I've had to break up classroom fights, and even enlist the help of colleagues. As a result, I've learned to rely on a few battle-tested teaching strategies that have really helped. Allow me to suggest five simple teaching strategies that have worked over the years. They are:

1. Remember that you are a teacher first. Your primary responsibility as a teacher is to teach students effectively, not to be "liked". Students know when a teacher is emotionally needy. At-risk students take advantage of needy teachers. On the flip side, at-risk students can also sense strength, concern, and a teacher with high expectations. It never ceases to amaze me how many students end up loving the teacher they liked least at first. They end up respecting the no-nonsense teacher, who held them accountable. The key is balance. Of course, we want to ultimately be liked, but that should never be the teacher's primary motive in educating students.

2. Talk honestly with their at-risk students. It is important for your students to know exactly where you stand when it comes to expectations, values, and class culture. I spend the first few weeks of every year reviewing class culture with my students. By years end they have internalized many of the values that I've communicated. I teach this consistently, with the first days of school being my most explicit. I've found that at-risk students love real life stories so I incorporate the stories of real life heroes constantly into my daily routine. I display pictures, quotes, and we even listen to music occasionally. My at-risk students need to see real-life examples of success.

3. Pursue the parents of at-risk students. I realize that some teachers struggle with parental support. Still, you'd be surprised at how many of the parents of my at-risk students genuinely want to be notified when their child acts up or underachieves in school. Parents may not always respond the way I'd like them to, but I am always professionally honest with parents, and I want my at-risk students to know that the parent and teacher are partners.

4. Pass along responsibility to at-risk students. Students seem to understand that teachers are human too. Sometimes at-risk students may understand that fact a little too well! They may sense that you are too forgiving, or that you are willing to do their work for them. If students see that they can manipulate their teacher emotionally, then it may become a long year. If they know that the teacher will compensate for them, enable them, or appease them, it will become habit. This will only hurt the at-risk student in the long run.

5. Set High Standards for At-Risk Students. A teaching strategy that is often overlooked is allowing the student to fail. At-risk students need to know how to overcome adversity and even occasional failure. At-risk students will build character working through adversity. A teacher will always be there for the student, but we must guard against lowering expectations to a point where success is actually cheapened. Teachers should remind students that they are not working for their teacher; they are working for themselves and those who love them. Often the life of an at-risk student is fraught with challenges and special circumstances. The at-risk student should never give up. If an at-risk students quits trying, it will disappoint the teacher, but it will devastate their family. Teachers should set a high bar and show faith in their students.

Though this list of teaching strategies is by no means extensive, these five teaching strategies will help you to effectively teach your at-risk students.

SOURCES
Motivation Tools
Colorado State
Success4Teachers
Teach-nology
sanmarcos.net