When Teachers Care, Students Care

I have found over the years that students put into their education the same amount of effort and purpose that they see you put into teaching them. The harder I work, the harder they work. Modeling, after all, can be a very powerful and motivating teacher!
The same applies to their relationships with each other as a classroom family and with me. Today I had a functional migraine slam me about an hour and a half before it was time for dismissal. The students know me well enough to see that something was wrong. Immediately, the lights are off and the room is quiet and they are very focused on helping me teach them. They do the same thing for each other. If someone has to step out of the room or is absent, someone nearby will take care of getting them what they need ( work, correcting, materials) without being asked to do so. If a student is struggling with a concept, another will either quietly explain or make the time to tutor them later. If another student is hurt, the others are concerned and will take care of them. This empathy will take them far in life.
Other times, they have stepped up to take on more responsibility. There was a day with a substitute who barely spoke English. He appointed several students to "teach" each lesson. The students took up the challenge and helped each other. When I returned there were some questions, but for the most part they took care of business. I was very proud of what they accomplished and let them know it.
Students will apply their learning to learning something on their own if given the opportunity to do so. Not every student, mind you. Some just prefer the social aspect of school. But I have students who PREFER to spend their time on research projects and power points IN THEIR SPARE TIME! "Can I work on a project?" is heard quite often. I share with them my own curiosities, interests, laughter, and caring.
Why?I have worked to increase their natural curiosity and intrinsic motivation. I have modeled and worked with them to teach them the skills they need to learn for themselves.  After all, isn't that the most important thing we can learn?