What is the difference?

When I first became a teacher in a classroom of my own I was the young, inexperienced teacher. The days were exciting and I was teaching middle and high school students at a charter school. The students were excited to be in my room and I was just as excited to have them. I do not remember a single student who did not want to be there, nor do I recall any students who thought it was going to be an easy class. I lived in Florida where it was almost always sunny and hot and the water was not far, but no one skipped my class. Move forward about 20 years to teaching first graders, on an island in Alaska. The students are harder to engage in the work, it takes a lot of effort and strategies. They also skip school to go places with parents. What is the difference? Why did kids not skip school as often when I was a younger teacher teaching older students? I always wonder, if families do not realize the importance of attendance in education.

Note: If you are going to be somewhere, no matter where it is, be all there. I have heard this a lot from some of my mentors. It makes a lot of sense. If you make a commitment, you do all you can to attend and put your best foot forward. No matter what. When you are no longer there, it is probably time for a change.

As for those little ones that are not often at school, please remember to reach out to them and their families. I know it is not a teachers job to hunt down a student or their family, and we certainly cannot force them to come to school or to learn something. However, it does not hurt to offer books to read at home or a little make up work or lesson. So please don't give up on them. It is not their choice. Elementary students really are at the whim of parents or guardians. Give them the structure they desire and those children will do what they can to come to school to learn. Sometime building a trusting relationship can bridge a gap.