A new school year has begun, and with it come a flurry of ambitious resolutions and great expectations.
This is the time of year when all students try their hardest to put their best foot forward. The failures and the difficulties of past semesters are by now a distant memory. The social and academic struggles have faded fast. Armed with brand new backpacks and perfectly sharpened pencils, these students are ready to conquer the world.
Such is the way of new beginnings. That student who couldn’t quite keep up with her classwork is determined to try extra hard this year. The young boy who had trouble concentrating on the lesson is going to pay more attention to his rabbi. And the little one who was stumbling over his prayers is going to practice every night before going to bed.
Beginning a new school year is like turning over a new leaf. It’s a golden opportunity to be the best that you can be. Students experience a surge of optimism, ambition and drive. They feel like they’re on top of the world. Their self-esteem is at an all time high. Their sense of purpose is in overdrive.
If only that feeling would last. Very often, it doesn’t. What happens when that first test is scheduled? When the weekly parashah rolls around? When the rest of the class understands Rashi better than you do? Do those feelings of frustration begin to surface again? Does the anxiety set in—the low self-esteem? After the first few weeks, the student may falter. The confidence begins to wither away. Now what? What’s a parent to do? How do you prevent the disappointment before it sets in?
A smart parent will plan ahead. Forewarned is, after all, forearmed. They will acquire the resources necessary before it’s too late. They’ll get the proper guidance, reach out for support, and avoid another semester of academic failure.
This is where a special educator or a remediator can prove invaluable to a child’s academic progress. A professional educator recognizes the problems and the pitfalls. Years of experience allow an educator to assess the situation and evaluate the circumstances. He or she can determine if a child is seriously behind in schoolwork or if the problem can be easily solved. He or she can gauge the extent of the challenges and can control the damage before it’s too late. He or she can serve as a liaison between the student and the school, providing solutions that will help smooth over the rough patches. And most important of all, he or she can provide encouragement and guidance that will help restore confidence and self-esteem.
Many parents are reluctant to contact a professional because they fear that they’ll be coerced into accepting a year-round tutoring arrangement. This is hardly the truth. While there are certainly children who may benefit greatly from private tutoring on a regular basis, many others only require limited counseling or guidance in order to thrive. After only one or two meetings with a child and his parents, an experienced educator can assess the problem and offer real concrete solutions.
An educator can identify the child’s inherent strengths and talents and intervene with the teacher on behalf of the student. An educator can recommend options and alternatives that parents may never even knew existed.
The new academic year can be a challenge for some students, but it doesn’t have to be a struggle. Those of us who have been working in the field of education for many years will tell you that there’s no such thing as a problem that can’t be solved or a student that can’t be helped. It’s only a matter of finding the right solutions and discovering the appropriate methods and techniques. Smart parents will tap into the proper resources and do anything they can to help their child succeed. With a little professional guidance, the great expectations of the first day of school can last all year long.
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Rifka Schonfeld is director of SOS (Strategies for Optimum Student Success).
