This is Mr. Funky Teacher with BeAFunkyTeacher.com. I’m coming to you with another Be a Funky Teacher podcast. Today’s episode is Don’t Give Up On Kids: Raising Expectations In Every Classroom. That’s what we’re going to be focusing on with this episode. But first, let me talk about three things I’m thankful for this morning. The first thing is a few extra minutes of sleep. I decided to sleep just a little bit longer today. I’ve been getting up extra early to get things done at school, but this morning I gave myself that small treat, and I know it’s going to help me keep going today. The second thing I’m thankful for is support systems. Family, colleagues, and friends who carry me through. I’m so thankful for the people in my life who support me. The third thing I’m thankful for is my health. Without my health, the rest of this work would be impossible. How could I help others and impact others if I didn’t have it? So with that being said, let’s get into it. I want to focus on expectations and not giving up on kids. Here’s the problem of low expectations. Too many kids have grown up in schools, communities, or systems where people have given up on them. A good friend of mine once described some Native schools as places where people have almost given up, like forgotten schools. That idea has stayed with me because it hit me hard. These are the places where students most need teachers who believe in them. Whether it’s a Native community on a reservation, or a community with lower socioeconomic circumstances, or systemic trauma, or historical and generational trauma, there are students who have experienced people giving up on them or expecting very little from them. Just getting them through. Just assuming they aren’t capable. And that way of thinking is wrong. Why can’t we give up on kids? Because it is not an option. Every child deserves someone who refuses to write them off. Students with IEPs, behavior challenges, or academic struggles need support and people who believe in them, not people who lower expectations. High expectations communicate to students that they matter and that they are capable. Showing up for them every day communicates that you value them. I can’t help but think about a student this year. I was in an IEP meeting, and the parent shared something her child said. The student told her, “Mr. Kleve said we are going to learn how to change the world this year. I don’t know how yet, but we’re going to learn.” That made me smile. That’s the kind of hope I want kids to carry with them. I want them to believe they can change the world, that they can make a difference, and that they’re valued. When something like that comes back to you, it keeps you going. It keeps you getting up in the morning and getting fired up. That moment is going to stay with me for years. This morning, as I was getting ready for work, my wife told me, “Thank you for not giving up on your kids.” She wasn’t talking about my own children. She was talking about my students. Even when days are tough, she sees the way I keep believing in them. That meant a lot to me. Some students I’ve worked with over the years have had people give up on them their entire lives, in my current district and in my prior district. You may work in a place like that too. You may have seen teachers give up on students. That reminder from my wife was powerful. She sees the work, she knows there are good days and tough days, and she knows the importance of continuing to believe in kids. So what are some practical ways we can show students we haven’t given up? We have to celebrate progress, not just perfection. There is no such thing as perfect. But we can celebrate growth, and we can celebrate it with our students. We also have to use scaffolds, not shortcuts. We can’t just decide kids can’t learn and lower expectations. We have to scaffold learning in ways that set students up for life. I tell my fifth graders they have options. They may grow up and stay in the community, or they may go to trade school, or they may go to college somewhere else. Maybe they come back, maybe they don’t. But either way, they can build skills and traits that will help them succeed and help others. I’m trying to help them see what’s possible while also building them up from where they are. We also have to speak life into students. Say things like, “I believe in you.” “I want you here.” “We’re going to figure this out.” Those messages matter. There are different ways to say it, but the purpose is the same. Students need to know you value them and you haven’t given up. We have to keep our expectations high and keep our hearts soft. I’ll say that again. Keep our expectations high, but keep our hearts soft. Teaching is hard. It’s relentless. But we are entrusted with these students, and we have to show them we are not giving up. As we wrap this up, remember every kid deserves someone who won’t give up on them. Someone who says, “You belong here.” “You can do this.” “You will change this world.” When we choose to be that person, even on tough days, we give students more than lessons. We give them belief. That brings our episode to a close today. The reminder I share at the end of every episode about inspiring greatness in young people and being a funky teacher is what I try to live every day. Greatness can look like a lot of things. It’s not about being famous or making a lot of money. It’s about doing good things and making a difference. That’s why this message connects so deeply to not giving up on students. Well, that brings our episode to officially a close. Remember to inspire greatness in young people. And don’t forget to be a funky teacher. Bye now.