Jaydah

Equity: Discipline Learning Environment: Listening to students Relationships: Teachers Learning Environment: Classroom
When teachers recognize the good work that you do, you bond with the teacher.

When teachers recognize the good work that you do, you bond with the teacher.

Hi, my name is Jaydah. I am a freshman at a regional technical high school. I want to talk about school support systems and the importance of teachers that recognize not only the negatives, but the positive things teenagers are doing. It’s important to make teenagers feel confident in the positive things that they are doing, and give them attention for it, so that they don’t seek that attention by doing bad things. It will motivate them to do more good, knowing that someone will be there to cheer them on, which will help them feel more connected to the community.

This matters to me because the pandemic made school very hard, and coming back to school even harder. And this was all happening as I was transitioning from middle school to high school. When we were online, there was really no one to actually check up on you and support you in between classes. It has been even harder coming back to a different environment and being introduced to new expectations. I have been doing my best, but if I’m in a classroom in which the teacher doesn’t recognize my hard work, I don’t feel comfortable or motivated. I feel like my work and dedication to the class are unrecognized and unvalidated. I don’t feel a connection with the teacher or the class. This makes it hard to learn because I don’t want to do an assignment just for a good grade. I want to look forward to doing my best work and to being in an overall comfortable environment.

When teachers recognize the good work that you do[,] you bond with the teacher. It creates a community[,] which is something that was missing during the pandemic, and something we need now more than ever. In classes where my teachers recognize the good work that I do, I feel very confident in continuing to do that good work. I feel comfortable taking risks and asking questions, which helps me to learn. I feel safer in the classroom and like there is a community. For example, my world history teacher this year is very supportive. She’s cheerful and peppy. She recognizes when I do well and makes sure that I recognize it too. One time I finished a quiz early and she pulled me aside to tell me that I got 100%. It was really reassuring and made me more confident in taking tests, and in myself. I enjoy that class and feel safe. Knowing that the teacher cares about me and sees me makes me feel motivated and connected to the community.

I would like all students to feel understood and supported in their working environment so they can also have the chance to do better. Moving forward, we can create ways to normalize checking in on students and recognizing their hard work. It is very important for every student to feel like someone sees them. If they don’t have anyone to talk to at home, at least they can find someone at school. By having someone to talk to at school, school feels more like a community. This bond helps students to feel safe and learn better.

The Safe and Supportive Schools grant gives schools the opportunity to build the kind of teacher and student bond that creates the community that we need. Please increase the funding for the Safe and Supportive Schools program so that students can feel more connected to their community as we are rebuilding from the pandemic. Thank you.

“I want to talk about school support systems and the importance of teachers that recognize not only the negatives, but the positive things teenagers are doing. It’s important to make teenagers feel confident in the positive things that they are doing, and give them attention for it, so that they don’t seek that attention by doing bad things.”
—Jaydah

“It has been even harder coming back to a different environment and being introduced to new expectations. I have been doing my best, but if I’m in a classroom in which the teacher doesn’t recognize my hard work, I don’t feel comfortable or motivated. I feel like my work and dedication to the class are unrecognized and unvalidated. I don’t feel a connection with the teacher or the class. This makes it hard to learn because I don’t want to do an assignment just for a good grade. ”
—Jaydah

“When teachers recognize the good work that you do[,] you bond with the teacher. It creates a community[,] which is something that was missing during the pandemic, and something we need now more than ever. ”
—Jaydah

What other students are saying

Alice:

“For me, one of the most important parts of a safe and supportive school is that all the adults in the building understand how to care for and support all of the students.”  Read Alice’s statement

Chelsea:

“We all need and deserve access to positive relationships, a sense of well-being, community, and our own potential.” Read Chelsea’s statement

Chinyere:

“From our perspective, the academic levels create more division than unity, which impedes everyone’s learning.”  Read Chinyere’s statement

Chris:

“I feel like if more teachers understood our backgrounds, things would go better because teachers would know how to talk to students and have relationships with them.”   Read Chris’ statement

Corine:

“ I think adults at my school know what kinds of changes need to be made to help students succeed. But they can’t do it alone. They need help from the school system.” Read Corine’s statement

Taeyah:

“I knew that no matter what, he would be there to support me and would never give up on me. It was a small thing, but sometimes it’s the small things that make the difference.”  Read Taeyah’s statement

Gabriela:

“In order to make connections with the students, in order for them to feel supported like I did, ​you first have to hear them.”  Read Gabriela’s statement

Jaylee:

“If you have adult mentors at school encouraging you and reminding you that you have potential, you start to believe them.” Read Jaylee’s statement

Jonathan:

“Cooperation means learning faster. And when you and your teacher and your classmates are working together like this, it’s like a triangle of good.” Read Jonathan’s statement

Michelle:

“I believe that having all of our needs met would help us learn better and set us up for success in the future.” Read Michelle’s statement

Omari:

“I feel like there is a difference between doing the work just to do it and doing the work to understand it…” Read Omari’s statement

Trish:

“Having stronger relationships between students and teachers will increase the morale of the school, and make students and teachers more excited to come to school each day.”  Read Trish’s statement

Anonymous:

“I know it can be different. I’m one of the fortunate ones to have a good support system around me. Everyone deserves what I have.” Read Anonymous’ statement