Changing Lives Through Empathy: Showing Forgotten Students Their True Potential

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, July/August 2018 Issue

By Bill Morris

“I need to know, Brian. Are you going to hurt yourself over Christmas break?”

Over the course of my teaching career I’ve asked that question to students more times than I care to admit. They usually balk, choke, or whisper, “I don’t know, sir.” Sometimes, a student will speak clearly, “Yes.” Both answers spark a myriad of interventions too detailed for the scope of this writing.

This is my teaching reality. I work with “disadvantaged” high school students. I always have and probably always will. My students, fellow teachers, and I; we work in seclusion on the other side of the road away from the early college campus, neatly partitioned from the world.

We are largely forgotten by the establishment, save for once a year when test scores and graduation rates are published. Then the whispers at staff development days begin. “What do you guys do over there? Your numbers are really good.”

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .

Bill Morris is a former police officer turned teacher of kids he used to arrest. He has a BA in Law and Society from Penn State. He’s currently pursuing his MEd in Educational Leadership. He lives and works in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas as the social studies teacher for Edcouch-Elsa ISD-Academy.

Education News

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Girls Experienced Disproportionate Setbacks in STEM Skills Post-COVID

COVID-19 has been an unequal crisis, disrupting learning more deeply for some student groups than others.

For 8th Straight Year, 100% of Success Academy Grads Accepted to 4-Year Colleges

66% of students were accepted to selective institutions. Graduates were awarded more than $20 million in financial aid.

Common Sense Media Releases New AI Toolkit for School Districts

The toolkit provides teachers and district leaders with practical tools to facilitate AI adoption.

Join Our Newsletter

Get 10% off a subscription, monthly giveaways, and the latest updates—straight to your inbox!

Bill Morris
Bill Morris
Bill Morris is a former police officer turned teacher of kids he used to arrest. He has a BA in Law and Society from Penn State. He’s currently pursuing his MEd in Educational Leadership. He lives and works in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas as the social studies teacher for Edcouch-Elsa ISD-Academy.

Advertisement

Read More

Real (and Really Funny) Math

I'm an author of math books, which may sound like a dry job, but that’s exactly why I do it. It’s my goal to show kids that math can be fun (and funny!)

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Exploring Indigenous Culture Through the Senses: A Transformative Learning Experience

At McKenzie Towne School in Alberta, students are learning through touch, scent, and sound with the Indigenous Sensory Box Project.

The Positive Impacts of Computer Science: What Every Teacher and Administrator Should Know

After working as both a teacher and an administrator, I know how much of a difference it can make when school leaders truly appreciate the power of computer science.

Girls Experienced Disproportionate Setbacks in STEM Skills Post-COVID

COVID-19 has been an unequal crisis, disrupting learning more deeply for some student groups than others.

For 8th Straight Year, 100% of Success Academy Grads Accepted to 4-Year Colleges

66% of students were accepted to selective institutions. Graduates were awarded more than $20 million in financial aid.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

slot machine games | flash slot | slot book of ra | choi casino truc tuyen | paradise found slot | retro reels extreme heat slot | oude slot heemstede | online slots review | slotted hole design | soi kèo 7m | chung ket the gioi lmht 2017 | đề về 11 hôm sau đánh con gì | slot 意味 | win là gì | doraemon tập dài mới nhất | play together chơi miễn phí | isle of capri casino | how to check number of ram slots in laptop | casinos en ligne | bongdanet vn ty le | jungle trouble slot | dien dan ngoc rong | web casino truc tuyen | dự đoán xổ số bình dương hôm nay | am muu va tinh yeu tap 731 | p3 casino | thai casino online | dàn đề 36 số nuôi 3 ngày | xổ số đà lạt ngày 22 tháng 1 | xem truc tiep thvl2 | airport slots | uk casino guide | 0165 đổi | bejeweled slot machine | xổ số kiên giang ngày 1 tháng 5 | venus casino 67 | cô dâu gán nợ tập 1 | starlight kiss slot | cau dep 88 | slot games wiki | 2 số cuối đặc biệt | mobile online casino south africa | code fifa online 4 | paypal slots | chó sủa là chó không cắn | casino abattoir | bancah5 code | bingo and slots | best rtg casinos | beste casino app |