As teachers, you’re more than educators; you’re advocates, mentors, and champions. Children have big dreams, and the challenges they face are real. Read on to get to know some of the remarkable young people who depend on our guidance, support, and compassion. Each one has a story—and they’re counting on us to help make their dreams possible.
Mateo is an active and curious 3-year-old who lives in a low-income family and depends on federal assistance for healthcare and early childhood education. He loves watching Bluey and Daniel Tiger and is doing great on the balance bike. He wants to be a “grocery-put-away-er” when he grows up. He is being assessed for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Emma is 6. She wants to be a scientist when she grows up, and her school has secured federal funding for the last 5 years to build a thriving and evolving STEM lab where she loves to explore. Her hero is Mae Jemison. She watches Ellie and Jannie on YouTube, trying out a variety of experiments at home. She has a dog named Noodles. She is adamant that her family recycles.
10-year-old Alex came out as transgender a year ago and just recently began using his chosen name and pronouns at school. Although he has supportive family and friends, he still deals with bullying and harassment from some of his peers. He is a fantastic artist and admires paintings that look like photographs. He and his friends play Minecraft and are obsessed with Pokémon cards. He also enjoys playing basketball in his middle school.
Anika is an amazing musician and even records her original work on her YouTube channel. Like many 13-year-olds, she loves Ariana Grande and can’t wait to see the new movie version of Wicked. She also loves to bake cookies. When she grows up, she wants to be a singer-songwriter. Anika plays the piano and is a member of several fine arts programs throughout her city, many of which are funded by the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA).
Jamie is on his school’s volleyball team- the first time boys volleyball has been offered in his state – and he played a part in advocating for the addition. He’s 17 and gay, though he has only come out to his close friends. He’s learned some cool card tricks from his grandma, and he also suffers from anxiety. He is very worried about the cost of college and hopes to get a volleyball scholarship to help with tuition. He sees a therapist to help with his anxiety, but not very often; the family’s insurance has high copays for mental health treatment.
These children are in your classrooms and mine. Their families come from all walks of life, with diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Some may face challenges like limited access to technology or education, while others have abundant resources. Regardless of their circumstances, each student deserves our care and unwavering support. Mateo, Emma, Alex, Anika, and Jamie didn’t choose the challenges they face, but they all share the same hopes and dreams: to grow, belong, and thrive in a safe, and caring space with access to quality education.
We have to make that happen for them because there are barriers to each of their hopes and dreams. They need us to be their champions by lifting them up, celebrating their successes, and helping them overcome obstacles. We are here to love and empower them with knowledge, social-emotional skills, and critical thinking so they can find their voices and make their own choices in the future.
We are here to guide and care for them with dedication. That’s what teachers do for their students.
So, regardless of personal views or differences, let’s keep our focus on our students. They are navigating a complex world, and they’re counting on us to show them what’s possible. And we’re going to be there for them every step of the way.
About the Author
Betsy Butler (she/her) is a Professional Learning Specialist at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in English, a Master’s in Education, and has been teaching since 1992. Betsy uses her three decades of teaching experience to write and revise our courses while selecting the perfect accompanying texts. Her specialty areas include ELA, special education topics, behavior management, and mental health.
Fun Fact: Betsy’s daily conquest is solving the New York Times crossword puzzle!
