Name: Every kid needs a champion
Uploaded: 2013-05-03T14:02:17Z
Duration: 7 min 34 s
Description: Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don't like.'" A rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level.

Rita Pierson: Every kid needs a champion

Every kid needs a champion

Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don't like.'" A rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level.

Meaningful learning hinges on strong relationships between teachers and students, not just lesson plans or test scores. A teacher once marked a failing quiz with a '+2' and a smile instead of a harsh red pen, showing the power of encouragement. Simple acts like apologizing or believing in each child's potential can spark dramatic improvement. Every child needs at least one adult who is committed to their growth, even when the job feels impossibly hard.