Alternative Education

A few weeks ago a teacher came to me and told me that a student with whom I had developed a good relationship with was struggling. In fact the chances of them graduating was slim at that point and it frustrated me so much because this was not the first student who needed a second chance at learning. Over the last few years I have become the teacher you go to when it seems that you have hit a dead end because regardless of what you have done or where you are at I won't give up on any student. So in looking for solutions for these students I began to look at alternatives in education and learning environments.

I call them learning environments because they are not traditional settings. These "classrooms" can be anything and they seek to find a way for students and teachers to develop a much more personal relationship. These new environments focus on the relationships and building trust with the student so that the appreciate learning again. The fact that students are able to see that they are trusted, respected, and surrounded by people who care about their success goes a long way in the students believing in themselves and their success.