On Student Ecosystems

In my view, a really important part of being a tutor is understanding three kye things about children and students: 1) They aren't monoliths 2) They don't exist in isolation 3) They are exactly as complex, interesting and thoughtful people as anyone else. These might sound like the most trite expressions of empathy possible, but to me this represents a really central part of my ethos around teaching, tutoring and mentoring. Even when only understoof academically, students exist within complex and layered ecosystems of parents, teachers, schools and schooling systems, peers, mentors, academic cultures and expectations, and media and cultural understandings of teaching and learning. For instance, so many students view maths as a bore -- how many of those are due to seeing countless films and TV shows that represent maths class as the dullest punishment for a young person? How many students see particular academic pathways as "acceptable" or "unacceptable", simply because a parent or teacher communicated those expectations before - however loosely or offhand?
This view factors into my teaching in a big way. When students express ideas, opinions, or emotions that don't align with my own, I rarely jump to tell them "Don't say that!" or "I'm calling your mum". Usually, I first find myself asking questions like "Hmm, what makes you say that?" More often than not, their answers sound like "I guess my dad said so..." or "My teacher mentioned it a while back..." -- which isn't to say those opinions are invalid! Instead, it's a consideration that students are a reflection - and refraction - of so many people, places and things in their lives, that you can always stand to learn more about - and *from*.
This helps me immensely with rapport building and familiarity with students - when they sense I'm someone who genuinely cares and wants to learn more about them, they're usually much more willing to lighten up, open up and learn.