Every teacher can teach but not every teacher can motivate a learner to learn especially for students from broken families.
I have taught many children from broken families where parents may be separated or they are totally not around because they are in prison.
There are also those students who were abandoned by their parents since young.
Bad behaviours
Students from difficult background may often exhibit bad behaviours in class. Teachers who merely shout and scold can have very little effect on them.
Since their parents do not even care about them so they would treat those scolding as noise.
They exhibit bad behaviours as a channel to let go of their frustrations.
They also need the attention of others since they can receive little or no attention at home.
They often return to a home without love but a place to sleep and eat.
I had even encountered pupils who threw their tables because of anger.
I would strongly encourage teachers not to panic so that we can be in control of our own emotions and take charge of the situation calmly.
Never enter into a struggle with the student as we may get hurt so the best way is to ensure the other students would not be injured and give some space for the child to cool down before talking to the child.
The emptiness
Within the hearts of unmotivated child, there is an emptiness to be filled.
There is not a single child who do not want to be cared for but some have chosen to put on a terrible front to protect themselves from getting hurt emotionally.
They want others to fear them as it gives them a sense of achievement with a false status of authority.
Teachers would need to take a lot of effort before we can penetrate into the child’s heart and let the child know that he is not what he thinks he is but he is more than that.
Teachers need to believe the best and guide the child patiently.
Opinions of others
Very often, classmates may not always understand so teachers must find opportunities and teachable moments to direct them to understand and empathise.
The fact that most students may not fully understand but they may be slightly more tolerating to the misbehaviours.
When we can work together as a class, we can help the child to make changes slowly.
We need to melt the hardened heart slowly and guide the child into the right path.
Education
Education is not the only way to be successful in life.
I would always need to tell the low achievers this fact.
The right attitude can bring a lot more successes for an uneducated man than for an educated man with bad attitude.
Most employers appreciate good attitude and they may even provide further education opportunities for their professional development.
Teachers should not only focus on filling minds with knowledge but building the right values and attitudes.
In conclusion
I have met many students with difficult family background but they can be motivated when we try to make connections with them.
I had given out sweets and biscuits during classroom lessons even though it is not allowed in the school rules.
Teachers must understand that these students may be in school without breakfast so it is logical why they cannot concentrate.
We must not just look at the surface but find the root cause of the bad behaviours.
Disclaimer: This is my personal reflection and I am not in any position to instruct anyone what they should do. I am not responsible for any action taken as a result of this post. My post can only be a reference for your further research and growth. By reading this post, you acknowledge and accept that. All images and pictures were taken from google images that are free from copyright under labelled for reuse.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://fun2learn.vornix.blog/2019/01/14/motivate-the-unmotivated/