Navigating the Three Types of Students: A Guide for Educators

Well, educators, most of us are back or about to be back in school. So it’s time for a reminder. We have three types of students in our classrooms. We have the good kids. And by good, I don’t mean morally developed good. I mean they basically function in a world where their behavior is conducive to the well being of our classroom and the progression of instruction. Then you have the kids that you know are gonna test you. And they’re gonna test you because they wanna see where the boundaries are. They’re going to push those boundaries. They’re gonna say, what’s the rule? What happens when I break the rule? If you stay consistent with whatever the consequences are for those rule breaks, generally speaking, those behaviors will go away because they’ve figured it out. It’s the third group that’ll sneak up on you. And if you’re unsure what I’m talking about when I say the third group, then either you haven’t been in education very long or you’re in denial. These are extremely smart students, and they’re sitting and they’re listening and they’re learning and they’re waiting for opportunities. For instance, if you’re like me and you casually say something at the beginning of the year about, hey, if you ever really are questioning the reason we’re doing a lesson, please feel free to come ask me. And if I can’t give you a reasonable answer, we won’t do it. Cause, yeah, I’m that teacher. I say, That the third group heard that. The third group is the one that’s absolutely waiting for an opportunity to use that against you when you are least prepared. As they should. These kids are waiting for their opportunity to show you how smart they are by outsmarting you. And they are amazingly patient. I’m warning you about this now, because for those of you that need a reminder or a warning because you haven’t experience this before, you’re gonna meet the first two groups in the first day or two. But that third group, they’re waiting for you on the other side. You’ll be fine. Thank you for doing the good work.