Reflections: To Unlock a Student's Desire

It never ceases to amaze me how important desire is. In my own life I have realized this, and I have been able to continually see its effects in the lives of those around me.

This observation is important to teaching. Somehow we, as the teachers, have to pass the key to open the doors of the joys of learning to our students; however, with this in mind, what if they don't care to turn the lock? How do we unlock desire in our students? In order to do so, we have to address their individual needs. As a teacher, as a mentor, as a significant adult in the student's life, we can make a difference in his life. The challenge is that each student is different. Each one has a different background, different needs, and different abilities. Although keeping this in mind as well, I have seen students with less aptitude for a subject rise and shine above those who had the innate ability. What made the difference? Whatever its origin, it was Desire.

The challenge I give to myself is to search to find the way to unlock a student's desire, even when nothing else in the situation would help out.