The good, bad, and ugly

A lesson we did in class regarding the different teachers, students, and a couple other things that fit into different categories such as good bad and ugly made me realize a couple things. The category that left me thinking was that of the students. I personally think that it is too difficult to put students in such categories. Yes, there are some with more challenges and difficulties to overcome than others but they all have potential. With the proper help and guidance a student can reach that potential and achieve its greatest. I;m not saying that every student can reach Harvard and graduate with stellar grades, but they have a level that is their best that can bee reached with some help. To put students in a category and have them be defined right off the bat as a good kid, bad kid, or discipline problem student, then we as teachers are already downgrading their potential and putting them either down further to prove themselves or up higher to prove themselves. As hard as it is I think that most important thing is too look at each student individually and with a clean slate. Yes, I'm sure another past teacher of theirs is going to come in and "warn" you about their problems, but that was the relationship that that student had with that student. You are a whole new person with a different personality that can bring out the best in that student. It requires a lot of patience and a lot trial and error but it can be done and I think that it needs to be done. Our students deserve to be treated equally and with respect. If we as teachers want respect from our students then we should do the same for them.