Love thy student

This thought or reflection came to me after a conversation that I had with a colleague.  I frequently talk with other teachers about the frustrations of how students don't seem to try their hardest and how that is evident in them not turning their work in on time.  This is worn out conversation that usually ends with us shrugging our shoulders and saying something along the lines that we do the best we can do.  The conversation I had this time followed a similar path but ended at very different destination.
She reminded me of the humanity of my students. Of all the roles my students play in their lives.  Some are siblings. Others friends. All of them are sons or daughters. And a "lucky" few are in relationships. Along with these roles comes different expectations, duties, time requirements, patience, pressures, misunderstandings, mistakes, and accomplishments. Many of them have strong support nets through these relationships and roles, and others are greatly taxed by them and lack that support.
I think that it is important to remind ourselves that no one is perfect (not even close).  That even though we so desperately try to hide this humanity, it's still there and it should not be ignored. That when we push people because we think that they can take it, we also need to support them so that they will be successful.  That we shouldn't complain about another person's actions without trying to uncover the person behind those actions.
God called me to be a teacher.  He also called me to love my students.  The best way that I can love my students is to pray for them when they frustrate me.  I love them by hearing about their prom dresses and relationship woes. I love them by being a nerdy science teacher that makes them laugh and forget their hurts.  I love them most of all by showing them the science of God's creation and how He loves us.