Teaching a class of 35 to 45 students, each with unique backgrounds, interests, needs, and learning styles can be a daunting task, especially when they are all in their adolescence. However, it's crucial to approach this challenge with the intention to include each child's individualized needs and gain in-depth insights through interactions with significant people in the child's life before planning interventions. This is where teachers, the true miracle makers, come into play. Teachers are adept at understanding and empathizing with students, even when they may not seek help or resist assistance. Instead of merely "dealing" with problems, teachers understand that the key is to "understand" the situation, and the solution emerges during this process. A heartfelt shoutout to all educators who tirelessly devote themselves to this task year after year without losing hope or energy. The acronym ADOLESCENCE serves as a guide for teachers: A - Accept the Changes, Appreciate the Growth, Accept Failures. D - Defiance is an attempt to explore, focus on Do's more than Do nots, Discuss but Decide. O - Obedience can be aimed for by being Open to including students' views, Organize the class with predictability and patterns. L - Listen to everything students say and don't say, Look for the good and be vocal about it, Learn something new from them. E - Channelize energies, Understand and label emotions, Explain what you've understood from what they've said. S - Prioritize Skills over Subjects, provide specific instructions, stimulate their brains, incorporate self-regulation exercises as a routine, and make explicit steps for transition. C - Cultivate Calmness, which leads to Connection, which leads to Cooperation, Criticize in private and praise in public, be specific about both, and maintain consistency. E - Engage instead of entertaining, focus on the Easy First, except competence, encourage doubts, and notice effort rather than just results. N - Negotiate alternatives, focus on Needs rather than Wants. C - Shift communication from Correction and Comparison to Collaboration, and create challenges. E - Be the example and recognize that your emotions are crucial, except the unexpected and rehearse your responses in advance, and if everything fails, Try Again. Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of these young minds, and their dedication is truly commendable.
