The Teacher's Perspective:
Upon entering any given school, everyone will be able to identify the groups or cliques that roam the halls. The first group that always gets noticed just so happens to be the group that everyone seems to want to be a part of; the "popular group." When you look at this group, you see beauty, intellect, athleticism, and enough personality to fill up a room. It's always difficult to remember that this is what is seen on the outside and that every single person you meet is running an uphill battle to figure out who they are as a person, and what that means to them.
There are many times where I see my students struggling to "fit in." I always tend to reach out to them and make them feel comforted. It's difficult for me to imagine what goes on outside of my classroom. Are there any other teachers or adults who care as much as I do? Who else is helping these kids feel secure with who they are as individuals? Those are very hard questions to answer. Many students today feel alone and insecure because of how dominant social media has become, and how much it influences their lives. I can't tell you enough how much it breaks my heart to see middle school and high school students bully one another inside and outside of school just for fun, or to kick another student while they're down. (Read Jodi's post about our workshops in June from Youth to Youth this past summer)
It's hard to watch the struggle of adolescent acceptance because I just want to hug each student and tell them that "this will pass. Talk to me. Talk to any adult. Seek advice. Don't listen to the negativity. You are not alone. Join a club or sports team. Do something to help you figure out who you are and where your passions will take you in life." So many things to say, but it's about finding a way for each student to listen. If you know any teacher, you know that getting your students to even listen to a lesson or lecture is hard enough. One-on-one conversations with your students and their personal lives teeters along the line of personal space and boundaries. It definitely is a hard line to stay clear of when all you want to do is help. Trust me, it's even hard for adults to feel accepted every once in a while, and it is usually brought on by the presence of fear. Yep. You've read correctly. Fear. Adults are scared of fitting in too! It's usually for something silly like having to work with someone outside of our friend circle and stepping out of our comfort zone. WAIT. That's how YOU feel too, isn't it?
Wanna know the trick to getting over this hurdle and actually fitting in? Actually stepping out of your comfort zone, making new friends, learning new ideas and sharing your thoughts and experiences. It works. That, I can promise you. Hey, if I haven't said it enough, join Youth to Youth (or any leadership group in your community)! Go to the summer conferences, and change the world. You'll be able to find people just like yourself, and you will change your life for the better. Trust me, I know. I was once a shy kid in middle school and I went to one Youth to Youth mini conference and BAM, I became the amazing person that I am today. Okay, maybe that took years of practice and jumping out of my shell, going to the Eastern States conferences every year, joining Youth Staff and making some of the best friends I could ever have. Wanna know a secret? Even as an adult, those friends I've made at conference are on Adult Staff and we, as a collective, are super cool. Yep, I said it. COOL.
Anyway, for those of you that know me, I love to talk. I tend to get off topic, and I tend to say a lot in a short amount of time. Hey, that's the beauty of free writing. Is it not? haha :) My students understand this struggle of mine, but just know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE in your struggle of becoming who you are. Who you are is beautiful. Don't feel afraid to talk to your teachers/trusted adults about finding ways to get involved. Join Affirmative Fusion. HELLOOOO that's super important! E-mail Jodi, Lil Dee and myself with your qeustions, comments and stories. We'll get back to you as soon as we can. If it's very important, indicate that in the subject line. Also check us out on Instagram and Twitter! affirmative.fusion@gmail.com
Any of you want to write from the student's perspective? E-mail us!
As always, be positive. Be aware. Be you.
Brit
