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growing up is a part of life, but it's not always an easy path

problems

What do you think is your primary role as a teacher in helping adolescents manage the types of difficult problems addressed in this topic?

Unfortunately, I worry that I won't get through to all my teens. I worry some will still be too reluctant to come and seek help and that I won't pick up that they're having problems. I think, to combat this worry, I am going to try and have resources in my room. Phamlets on depression, stress, anxiety, cutting, safe sex, and all the rest. The Kids Help Phone has a number of resources to print off and hang around my classroom, not to mention their exceptional, anonymous, phone service. As someone who has used this service, I am more than willing to encourage my students to reach out. As well, I poked around and I found Helpguide.org, a non-profit resource that is dedicated to helping people overcome issues from mental health to physical abuse. They have an exceptional section on Teen Issues that not only provides tips to parents (or teachers), but also to teens themselves. I really appreciate this as the "Help for Teens" sections speaks directly to teens, in a way that is non-judgemental and that they can understand. I think this ease of access will really have a positive impact on the number of teens who access this resource.

I feel like many adolescents may feel this way while growing up. Beyond being a teacher to my students, I want to be a trusted adult to whom they can approach with their problems. 

 

What I will take away the most from this lecture is understanding the amount of problems that adolescents have to face. It seems easy to forget that we were once in their shoes, dealing with the exact same problems. But I actually want to use this to my advantage. I never want to forget (and I don't think it is likely that I will) what it was like for me as an adolescent. Keeping this in mind will help me when dealing with my teenage students, "getting on their level," as it were. My primary role then will be being a caring, understanding adult. I want to be a knowledgeable, approachable teacher; I want my students to know that I will provide them with a safe space for them to bring their problems. I want them to understand that the connection we make will be judgement free, indeed, I want to work with my students, helping them to overcome any sort of problem. Further, this presupposes that I am educated and up to date on teen issues. I will make sure that I stay relevent on the issues teens face, as they change frequently. I feel bad for all the middleschool teachers who had no idea why their teens were so upset the day after Zain left One Direction. 

This video from Kids Help Phone does an exceptional job of outlining the difficulties that teens experience. It discusses school stress, family matters, and bullying. It also explores the idea that adolescents these days have to cope with problems that we don't even know exist.

 

Kids Help Phone promotes itself as a service free of charge, free of judgement, and freely accessible. These three features are critical in ensuring children have the opportunity to talk to someone. I want my students to be aware of a resources such as this so they can access it anytime they are in need.

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