Running on empty this January evening, I recall the fine work of American psychologist, Abraham Maslow. Back in the 1940’s, he arrived at the theory that we all have basic human needs. There is a certain hierarchy by which we can function, and we are only able to be fulfilled, one level at a time. Our behaviors are motivated by the ability to fulfill each level of human need. Maslow never published his hierarchy in the pyramid image, like the one below, but I think it’s most straight-forward in this format.
Bloodshot eyes and brain racing with the day-ahead duties, I think of my students. High expectations is one of many common denominators in exceptional teachers, and with these high expectations come the hard reality that sometimes other things in life pull rank over school work. Physiological needs may not be being met, such as staying up way too late for a child, or not eating breakfast. At the safety level, having a sick mother at home can be terrifying. For love and belonging, a student may have had a falling out with her only true friend and is now struggling with pangs of loneliness and rejection, or her parents are going through a divorce.
Whatever it may be-it's not an excuse, but something to think about. Teaching students that are still persevering through the lower levels of Maslow’s theory makes the job that much harder, and that much more vital at the same time.
Read more about Maslow’s theory here.
Sleep well teachers…
No comments:
Post a Comment