Can a child who has a less than ideal situation at home, struggles in the classroom, and is challenged by social interactions develop into a confident, competent, and caring adult?

We call these students "at-risk," and many of them show up in the classrooms of Christian schools. Some students seem to be failing in only one area; others, in many. No matter what their unique situations, they have been delivered to us and we, as teachers and as Christians, are called to answer.

Research indicates that when at-risk children are placed in a positive environment filled with supportive relationships, opportunities for meaningful participation, and high, positive expectations, they can become competent, confident, and caring adults (Overcoming the Odds: High-Risk Children from Birth to Adulthood. New York: Cornell University Press, 1992).

Outside of the family circle, teachers are often the most positive role models for today's students. When asked, most graduates can easily recall a favorite teacher and explain the difference that one person made in their lives.

Those favorite teachers are often called turnaround teachers. While each of them is unique, they share some character traits and behaviors that set them above the rest. Do you have what it takes to turn around the lives of at-risk students? Ask yourself:

1. Do I really get to know each student?

It's easy to look at a student and apply the most appropriate stereotype. Turnaround teachers reach under the surface to find out each student's story. A student may look fine, talk big, and have plenty of friends. He may display no obvious signs that he is at risk. Until you know the situation in a child's home, his parents, his strengths, challenges, and obstacles, you are not it a position to really help him succeed.

2. Do my students trust me?

Unfortunately, home is not a place of security for many students. For reasons all their own, they may be unable to trust the adults in their lives. Turnaround teachers make their classroom a safe place, where students can act based on trust instead of fear. Encourage honesty and act out of compassion and love when a student admits his mistakes. Teach the student that when he accepts responsibility for his actions, you can help him find ways to do it right the next time. It's not the end of the world; there is a better path that you can work on together.

3. Do I believe in my students?

Many students who are at-risk do not have a good track record for success. Find the potential for excellence in every student. Help them uncover their strengths and find ways to work to improve in the areas they are weak. As a turnaround teacher, you must believe in them before they begin to believe in themselves. You are the bridge from low self-esteem to confidence.

4. Do I set high expectations?

Students need goals to reach. If you set the bar high, you give them something to reach toward. Let them know that not only do you expect their best work, but that you know the great things they are capable of accomplishing. Then hold them to these goals and discuss the obstacles when they arise.

5. Do I provide realistic counseling?

As students learn and grow, rules and situations often change with them. Be sure your students know you are available to help them make good decisions when they are struggling. Provide the kind of guidance that helps them see their options clearly and to think critically on their own. Don't tell them what to do. Instead, let them find their way down a path you clearly help them to see.

6. Do I really care?

Here's the tough one. We are often so absorbed in our own daily lives that we lose sight of why we became teachers in the first place. We forget that as Christians, we must be the light when a student sees only darkness. We forget that every student has a story, and we go through the motions of teaching without feeling very connected to the outcome. It's easy to lose hope with students who continually make bad choices. If you really care about each student, you won't give up on them. At-risk kids can see through empty words; they've heard them all. It's your actions that prove that you care.

You can be a turnaround teacher. You can turn at-risk kids into confident, competent, learners who think critically and succeed. You can help follow in the ways of Christ and become a light for others.