First Lady Michelle Obama hosted "Beating the Odds" summit at the White House involving academicians and the Department of Education to give emphasis on the role that a good student-teacher relationship plays in helping kids succeed in life. Keynote speakers were invited to the event to share their insights on how student-teacher relationship can be strengthened in schools.
U.S. News reported that Michelle Obama hosted the event entitled "Beating the Odds, Successful Strategies from Schools and Youth Agencies that Build Ladders of Opportunities." The event pointed out that empowering teachers to form a caring relationship with their students is one of the ways that may contribute to the success of the youth as adults later on.
Northwestern mentioned that during the "Beating the Odds" summit, life stories of different young people who were able to overcome challenges were presented during the conference. Northwestern School of Education and Social Policy professor, Barton Hirsch, said that "the life stories demonstrated the importance of funding policy initiatives directed at adolescence."
It was noted that those who shared their life experiences at having beaten the odds had one thing in common - a teacher or an after school provider, or any adult for that matter, who took the time to truly listen to them. These adults allowed the youth, especially those of color, to set higher expectations for themselves, and that they saw them in a way that they have never thought of themselves.
Having teachers that could guide the students and establish a strong student-teacher relationship with them is one thing that could help them attain success. There is a need to find out how the youth who come from various backgrounds would respond to policies. Once this is ascertained, it will be easier to establish concrete policies concerning the development of a healthy student-teacher relationship.
With the present realization of government leaders about the importance of fostering and empowering student-teacher relationship, one can expect that more education-related conferences will be held. First Lady Michelle Obama's Reach Higher initiative and "Beating the Odds" summit may help galvanize educators and policymakers to aim for giving the best education that will not only let them graduate from school but ensure that they become successful adults later on.
