Schools and Self-Esteem Schools can offer alternative support so that the child is equipped to develop a safeguard to cope with life stresses It is a student’s self-esteem and resiliency to these contributors that affects their ability to succeed. Self-esteem is generally considered to be a person’s measure of his or her own worth and competence. Student’s belief in themselves and their abilities is a tremendous protective factor against the different components that put them at risk.

 Schools and teachers have the capabilities to help students harness and develop their self-esteem  Early interventions lead to gains for children, particularly those at risk of low achievement  Recognizing low self-esteem at an early onset or the factors that may contribute, teachers and schools can help an at-risk child further succeed  It is critical to recognize when a student is suffering from low self- esteem and as a teacher one should know different warning signs.  A student’s attitude toward school can have a significant effect on their self-esteem.  Relationships and interactions between youth and trusted adults are one of the key mechanisms through which healthy development occurs How Schools Can Help

 Schools and its teachers need to be aware that low self-esteem is quite common in students and know how to recognize it in order to help reach out to students. Warnings Signs of low self-esteem in students  Unwillingness to take risks in different areas (social, classroom, athletics)  Tendency in a student to quit when facing a difficult or challenging task  Clowning to relieve pressure and to hide fear and lack of confidence  Bullying and aggressiveness-a child may feel vulnerable and responds by “going on the offense”  Denial, especially when students refuse to admit their unhappiness, insecurity, or intimidation  Procrastination in attempts to avoid a challenging task. Warning Signs for Teachers

 Teachers need to support students and inform parents of different warning signs of low or negative self-esteem. When parents are informed they can watch for the warning signs and be aware.  Children are in a school setting more waking hours during their day than outside of school or any other setting. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a connection for students to school.  In fact, higher school connectedness related to lower stress and higher social confidence  If teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, or administrators show an interest in a student and develop a relationship with them the student may feel more self-worth and motivation to strive further  Teachers can use classroom management routines that establish consistency in expectations in regards to student attendance and behavior  Teachers may be trained to increase opportunities for students and their involvement within the classroom and school  They should reward students for their involvement, and encourage cooperative learning and interactions among students How Teachers Can Help Self-Esteem in the Classroom

 So many organizations can involve serving the common good and promoting the welfare of local, national, and world communities and empowering others to also make a life long commitment to the cause  Teachers can help promote such an idea and advocate for it to help promote the welfare of communities  Programs like this contain many aspects or basic goals, which can help develop high self-esteem  All youth are capable of growing up properly and avoiding trouble if they can be attached to a variety of social resources that facilitate healthy development and discourage harmful behavior (Butts, Mayer, and Ruth, 2005).  Teachers and other school personnel are tremendous factors that can encourage a child to engage in meaningful activities, influence students to strive for goals, excite and enthuse children to learn, and develop and maintain students self- esteem. Ways to Improve Self-Esteem Outside the Classroom

 Children are exposed to all sorts of different factors that can contribute to a detriment in self-image and perception  Low self-esteem may cause children to engage in unsafe behaviors, lose interest in school, feel helpless and lost, and give in to pressures they may otherwise show resiliency towards.  Having high self-esteem, in contrast, may be an asset that protects youth from negative outcomes associated with risk exposure  Fostering school connectedness with children and relationships between school faculty and students can contribute to a student’s interest and self-esteem in school.  Teachers can have a huge effect by recognizing warning signs and implementing in and out of classroom strategies that strengthen self-esteem.  REFERENCES: “Schools and Teachers: Preventing at Risk Students of Low Self-Esteem From Being Left Behind” by Anthony Lebbad To Summarize…