Chapter 2: What Really Matters In Teaching (The Students)

This chapter addresses the idea that while it is easy to teach by idea, when you actually have students involved it becomes more difficult. The example of the students with internal struggles going on in their lives is important for me to remember as I teach in Maine. There is a very high rural poverty population in our area and with that comes students that have big internal battles. I would like to think I could create a learning environment that allows students to feel safe and work without worry, but just like the girl who was sabotaging her grades so her parents would get back together, some students will have other ideas in mind. This chapter was good to read because it is the first time that I have read what I assumed but was unclear of. As a teacher you do not need to have differentiated instruction for all students all the time, but rather need to use methods that will cross many different types of learners to get your curriculum covered.