Even though many do not realize it, teachers really do have a huge impact on their students’ home and academic life. Having a strong and healthy relationship with them is a huge part of students’ high school success throughout their four years.

“I think having meaningful and long lasting relationships with students is a key factor to not only academic success but for future success as well.” History teacher Brad West said.

Giving and receiving respect is a major part of working with teachers and adults, and it means a lot more than some think. 

“I think that they might look back and appreciate the way they were treated and if they were treated well.” Math teacher Ann Sharp said. 

Students often have poor mindsets on teachers and the way they teach, but they do not truly understand how the teachers try to adapt and change many teaching methods and lesson plans

“I guess as far of explaining things sometimes I will have to figure out a new way of explaining it if the way I am currently explaining it isn’t working, and there are times that I have even told students to let me think about it and I will get back to them the next day in order to find or come up with a new way of explaining and showing it so it is easier and makes more sense to them.” Sharp said.

However, students face many challenges that may be hard to overcome, but what is the biggest challenge?

“I think the challenge of failing at something, not necessarily being a course, but whether it be not knowing something and then working really hard to obtain that goal.” Sharp said.

A student failing is not only hard and stressful for that person, but it is also extremely hard on that teacher watching their own student fail and trying to overcome that problem.

“You know, our goal is to improve everyday and watching someone fail makes this job extremely difficult.” West said.

Failing does however bring new learning opportunities for teachers and students.

“I guess just knowing that in the back of my mind that there is nothing wrong with failing it just means that you are going to have to understand that failure and then move on past that in order to ultimately achieve your goal or in that topic on whatever you are working towards.” Sharp said.

Teens often have many trial and error events in their home and school life, but adults have that too. These events do help us grow and learn tremendously.

“Part of being a teacher is reflecting on the lesson you delivered and seeing what you have to tweak and perfect for the next time you do it in order for it to truly help and impact kids in all grades.” West said.

There are many ways to improve the challenges students face that can be very simple like just changing your mindset.

“I would just say their attitude and approach to something, like if they already think they are not going to like it then they won’t have an open mind about it.” Sharp said.