Re: not getting too involved but yet doing something good

techteacher

Posted on 12/08/09

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> Warm support in school is always appropriate - a caring
> teacher can give the impression that there are still good
> things happening in the world. You can't love per say and you
> really can't buy clothes.
> Our cafeteria lets students have accounts that their parents
> put money in. For a student who needs food as you say this
> one does, I have put money in their account and not expected
> to be repaid and I have done it anonymously.
>
> If there is a field trip coming up and the student can't pay
> for it, knowing such a student is in the class, I've
> sometimes gone to the Dean and paid for the student - again
> without allowing the student to know who did it. Such
> gestures can mean a lot to a student who's not getting enough
> at home.

Perhaps also buy a yearbook for him. Or if there's a dance and
you've heard he would like to go, float him a ticket - maybe have
one of his friends "buy" it for him. We have some students like
that that are involved in a church and I've had occasions where I
can contribute to a scholarship fund for something big that he can
do there, like a ski trip.

I think the best (and most affordable) way though is to just be a
constant in his life. Perhaps go see him perform or play or attend
a game/performance that he is attending - find something in
common. Have a smile for him. I sometimes take a student and some
friends to Starbucks after school just for some "quality" time.
That probably does border on getting too involved though....

By being a constant for him, that gives him a safe place and makes
you a safe person - he will never have to wonder how you will
react or treat him. Sometimes, that means WAY more to a student
that you will ever know, or even that they will understand until
they are older. That is a legacy you can leave!

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