How to bring out the best in our youth
Just give them a chance
Too often, we focus on the worst in people. We hear about someone and how “bad” they are and instantly lock ourselves into that viewpoint.
That is especially true for teenagers. They can be difficult, moody, and impulsive. It leads many adults to treat them like the children they no longer want to be.
But they can also be mature and respectful with a strong desire to do the right thing. When we can look past their moodiness and impulsiveness and find a way to recognize their talents and capitalize on their strengths, it can reap major rewards.
I teach religion classes at my church for 9th grade boys. One of the boys, Issac, seemed like a nice enough young man. I was told by our religion director that he was considered a “bad” kid at his school — but not “bad” in the traditional sense.
It didn’t take much time to realize that Isaac is actually very smart. He asks very good questions — ones that might fluster an inexperienced or burned-out teacher. He gets fidgety and talks out of turn often, mostly when the class moves slower than he prefers.
I could understand why he drove some of his teachers crazy.
It was clear his rambunctiousness was because he is simply bored with normal routines. When his mind isn’t being stimulated and the material wasn’t challenging enough, that is when he likely acts out.
I also found out Isaac had struggled with a stuttering issue in elementary school and had just completed extensive therapy. It was probably another unfair reason why he was not taken seriously by some people.
If Isaac were presented with the right opportunity at the right time, he could disprove some of the doubters in his life and give himself a needed dose of confidence.
I noticed that Issac has a good speaking voice. He enunciates his words very well and has a high vocabulary. His voice projects strongly and can be heard clearly across the room.
One Sunday before class, I approached Issac with a proposal. Would he be interested in reading one of the scripture passages at next Sunday’s church service? I would read one of the…
