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As an educator, I cannot answer this question. So what did I do? I took it to social media and asked students from grades third through twelfth to respond openly, boldly, and truthfully. Below are their responses. RAW & UNCUT! Welcome to Evans' Educational Experience Blog. This particular post is for students to have a direct and indirect voice. It is a safe place I have created where students can speak openly about their needs, wants and/or concerns. I have not altered their responses or word choices in any way, except for spelling errors. (LOL) TEACHERS/PARENTS: I CHALLENGE YOU TO LOOK AT THE TRENDS BETWEEN ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. AFTER READING, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ADJUST YOUR TEACHING, YOUR MIND AND YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR STUDENTS. 1) How does the needs from students change from elementary, middle, and high school? 2) What are some common areas that have not changed among all students? 3) Will this information change the way you teach, parent and/or interact with your students? LET THE STUDENTS SPEAK!!! QUESTION: "WHAT DO STUDENTS NEED THE MOST FROM THEIR TEACHERS?" MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS' RESPONSES: 1. We need teachers that will be there for us when we have issues at home & stick up for us no matter what. (Jimmy-middle school) 2. We need teachers that will make learning fun. (Jimmy-middle school) 3. We need teachers that will respect us as students. If the students do something that they do not like, don't punish the whole class. (Jayana-middle school) 4.We need teachers that will be there for us and care for us. (Ibrahima-middle school) 5. We need teachers who are patient and understanding to students. (Aniyah-middle school) 6. We need teachers that will focus on confidence building and putting in the work to teach; not just assigning busy work. (Jaela- middle school) 7. We need teachers that actually care. Instead of giving busy work, give us something that will make us think. Give us something that will challenge us and help us expand our knowledge. Teachers also need to be patient. Instead of always getting mad about the small things, allow the child to explain their feelings and where they are coming from. Children go through a lot. Whether it's a traumatic event, puberty, or growing up itself. All of these factors cause mood swings and different emotions to come out. The last thing students want from teachers is respect. If a child doesn't feel respected, they won't respect you. (Jada- middle school) 8. We need teachers to consistently be on time for class. (Marcus- middle school) HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS' RESPONSES: 9. We need teachers that will greet us with a smile, give us attention, engage with us and trust us. Ask us how are we doing and aid us with supplies if we don't have any. Treat us with care and love, understand us, let us have time to learn a lesson and most importantly teach us well. (Cody-high school) 10. We need teachers who will actually be willing to help and respect all students.(A. Williams- high school) 11. We need teachers that will actually listen to us and teachers need the same in return. We wouldn't want teachers that never listen to none of our ideas and teachers wouldn't want students that don't listen at all. (Alayzja- high school) 12. We need teachers that are not too hovering or strict about things outside of school work. Be engaging while making class fun. Remember you are teaching children! Have realistic expectations for students... don't expect them to sit in silence for the entire class. Let them use the internet for research. (Nakai- high school) 13. We need teachers that are trustworthy to talk to when we are having problems because the problems that some of us face we cannot talk to our family members about. Don't share our business especially when we ask you not to. (Yaronasia- high school) 14. We need teachers that have good attitudes, who will understand and respect us and teach students in a way in which we can remember. Also, we need teachers who don't tell student's business. We need teachers to tell us something funny when we are down. (LaMarria- high school) 15. We need teachers who understand that this is going to be hard for everybody so I think everybody should be patient and mindful that this could be stressful on the kids. Yes it can be stressful on the adults too of course but I hope they still realize that at the end of the day they have to do their job as best as possible. (Faith- high school) 16. We need teachers to be consistent and communicate on deadlines for assignments. Be clear about how certain assignments are created. (Nick Jr.- high school) 17. We need teachers to elaborate more and help students really understand. This is one of the reason why so many students grades are low. (Vincent- high school) ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS' RESPONSES: 18. We need teachers to cooperate with other students. (David- elementary school). 19. We need teachers to explain political issues more so that the kids really understand the assignments or can study for a test. (Johnathan- elementary school) 20. We need teachers that will not be too nice and not too mean and for teachers to help us understand what they are trying to teach us. I'm Just Saying! (Mak- elementary school) 21. We need teachers that will always help us when we need help and allow students to try first. (AJackson- elementary school) ~FINAL THOUGHTS~ ~In life, we should take time to think, sleep, eat, and physically take care of our mind and body. In education, we should take time to read, study, practice and listen. Never neglect the voice of the youth & reject the wisdom from those older than you. Learning is fluid, mutual & continual. Get Inspired: QUOTE OF THE DAY "The Secret in Education Lies In Respecting the Student." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson