Chapter #1: Knowing Students Well

On page one of Fires in the Bathroom, where Tiffany conveys the fact that teachers should not force themselves to make a connection with their students’ was something I could really relate to.

Teachers do not know everything and have not been through everything each student faces, so they should not try to soothe them by saying, “I understand” when clearly they don’t. One of my teacher’s in high school was just like the teacher Tiffany described and came off more fake then anything because she could relate to my dad’s drinking problem, my parent’s divorce, my grandfather’s stroke, my grades slipping, etc. Teachers should help, but not make their students’ problems feel small because God-forbid they can relate. Sometimes it’s nice to just get a hug or to know that they have a listening ear there to guide you.