A teacher rocks a child

Ramat Cisse: "Love and support are part of my educational philosophy"
Nathan Alexander: "It is important that help is available to parents"
Sydney Engelberg: "Values should not only be talked about, but also demonstrated"
Daniel Krebs: "It's not my achievements that impress me, but my student's"
An example from school practice: "Just come with your son"
Context: students with children

Learn: Educational Programs Methodologist

University teachers often remark, "You're not in kindergarten," when students are too noisy. However, sometimes classrooms really do resemble a nursery, and teachers have to adapt to the new conditions. And it's worth noting that many of them cope with this task superbly. This is confirmed by five touching stories that show how teachers find an approach to their students in difficult situations.

Ramata Cisse: "Love and Support Are Part of My Educational Philosophy"

During one of her anatomy classes at Georgia Gwinnett College, students witnessed an interesting moment: their professor, Ramata Sissoko Cisse, was looking for a lab coat. She needed this coat not for conducting experiments, but to create an improvised sling for the young son of one of her students. Thanks to this decision, the professor was able to continue teaching without being distracted by caring for the child. The baby quickly fell asleep on Ramata's back and did not cause any discomfort throughout the three-hour lesson. During the lecture, the professor used the situation to visually explain to the students the functioning of the nervous system, brain, and metabolism. The child's mother was also in the audience, which allowed her to focus on her studies without worrying about how to rock the baby. This case became a vivid example of how flexibility and resourcefulness can facilitate the learning process and increase its effectiveness.

The professor emphasized her educational philosophy, stating that love and support play a key role in the learning process. This statement was made in an interview with CNN, where she explained the importance of emotional connections for the successful development of students. Creating an atmosphere of trust and support contributes not only to academic success, but also to the formation of lasting personal qualities of students.

The professor shared that after the class, one of the students wrote her a letter of gratitude. In response, the professor expressed her willingness to always help her students. The student replied, "I know." These simple words, according to Cisse, are of great importance. It is important that future doctors and nurses not only have knowledge but also know how to show support and empathy.

Nathan Alexander: "It's Important for Parents to Have Access to Help"

Help is needed not only by young mothers, but also by fathers. As Wayne Hair, a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta, approached campus with his five-month-old daughter, he felt a significant amount of tension. The school is an all-male institution, and a young man with a child attracted a lot of attention. However, with exams approaching, he couldn't miss classes, and the Hair family couldn't find a nanny for the baby, so Wayne had to take her with him. The situation facing young parents highlights the importance of support and accessible childcare for students to successfully balance school and parenthood.

During the first class, algebra professor Nathan Alexander offered to hold Hare's child so he could focus on taking notes. The professor simply attached the baby carrier to himself and continued the lecture. This gesture impressed the students, and the story quickly went viral on social media, drawing attention to innovative approaches to teaching and parenting.

Alexander told CNN that helping students is nothing new to him and is an important aspect of his professional life. The professor emphasized that although he is pictured with the girl in the photos, the real credit goes to her father.

Alexander noted that he juggles two jobs, studies full-time, participates in university leadership programs, and is a parent. This photo should serve as a reminder of the daily efforts of parents and emphasize the importance of available support for them.

Sidney Engelberg: "Values should not only be talked about, but also demonstrated"

Sidney Engelberg, a professor at a Jerusalem university, has become so accustomed to the role of a nanny that he cannot remember the date when his photo was taken with a child in his arms at the blackboard. In an interview with Today, he noted that among his students there are many young parents, and therefore the presence of children in the classroom has become a common occurrence for him. Engelberg emphasizes the importance of supporting young parents in the educational process, which makes his approach to teaching more humane and flexible.

Engelberg gained popularity as a "baby whisperer" thanks to a photo in which he holds a crying baby during class. So as not to distract the mother from the lecture, the professor took the child in his arms and quickly calmed her. The moment became a symbol of his mastery of children, which is explained by his own experience: Engelberg has four children and five grandchildren.

The professor noted that he did not consider his actions to be anything unusual and was surprised by the significant response online. “My motivation is simple. On a basic level, I love children and wanted to help the student. On a deeper level, leadership and organizational skills cannot be taught through theory alone. They must be instilled at the level of values, which involves not only explanation but also personal example,” he shared.

Daniel Krebs: “It’s not my achievements that impress me, but my student’s”

University of Louisville history professor Daniel Krebs probably didn’t expect that an ordinary exam would make him popular online. However, one of his students came to the exam with two children – a four-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son. During the exam, the children became bored and began to misbehave, drawing attention to the situation. The incident went viral, highlighting the importance of flexibility in the educational process and supporting students and families.

Krebs decided to help the student by calming her down. He took the children into the hallway and began playing with them, including playing "horse." This created a comfortable atmosphere and helped relieve the student's tension.

Monica, Krebs's student, is a military service member and mother of two. Her accomplishments are inspiring, not my role in watching her children for 40-45 minutes, as the teacher noted in an interview with ABC. Monica demonstrates a remarkable ability to balance school and motherhood, which highlights her strength and determination.

A Case Study: "Just Come with Your Son"

Kimmy Lopez's story is a touching example of strength and perseverance that demonstrates the important role school plays in students' lives. At 18, she faced significant challenges, including living in a shelter and missing significant amounts of school due to the birth of her child. However, determined not to give up, Kimmy enrolled in a summer program at a high school in Springfield, Massachusetts. This program was aimed at helping students improve their academics and succeed in their final exams. With the support of teachers and classmates, Kimmy was able to overcome these challenges and get back on track with her education. This case highlights how educational institutions can transform the lives of teenagers by providing them with the resources and support they need during difficult times.

Lopez had no family or funds for daycare, making it impossible to care for her newborn while attending school. Not only did she spend a significant amount of time attending classes, but the commute to school, which took 30 to 45 minutes each way, also required a significant amount of time. Ultimately, she decided to withdraw from school and notified the school administration.

"Just come with your son," was the response she received.

The support provided to the girl proved invaluable, and the results were immediate. The young mother successfully completed her high school education and continued on to culinary college. As a token of her gratitude to the educational institution, she shared a photo on social media with educational program coordinator Tommy Guy, who was holding her son Javier. Lopez expressed her gratitude for the help and kindness he showed her small family.

Some teachers are willing to go above and beyond for their students to help them succeed. Teachers become second parents, supporting and inspiring children throughout their educational journey. Their dedication and concern for future generations play a key role in shaping personalities and developing life skills. Effective teacher-student interactions contribute not only to academic achievement but also to the emotional well-being of students.

In an interview with ABC, Guy expressed the opinion that Lopez is a true heroine. She demonstrated optimism and continued her studies despite difficult life circumstances. Guy emphasized his pride in his graduate and her resilience during difficult times.

Context: Students with Children

In the United States, according to 2015 data from the Institute for Women's Policy Research, one in five undergraduate students is a parent, representing 3.8 million people, or 22% of all college students. Research has shown that young parents are more likely to resort to student loans. Since daycare and kindergarten in the country are fee-based, students with children often face greater difficulties compared to their childless peers. Despite these difficulties, young parents demonstrate a high degree of diligence in their studies and often achieve better results. These findings are based on an analysis of statistics from the US Department of Education.

In 2014, the percentage of students with parents in Germany was only 7%, according to Deutsche Welle. Educational institutions allowed children to attend classes, provided they did not distract other students. Universities provided support to parents not only with legal but also with organizational matters, which contributed to the creation of a more comfortable educational environment for students with families.

In Russia, there are still no comprehensive studies devoted to the topic of education for women on maternity leave. However, a significant number of mothers strive for self-improvement. In 2019, the Ministry of Labor announced the allocation of two billion rubles from the federal budget for professional development and retraining programs for women on maternity leave, as part of the national "Demography" project. Nevertheless, examples of teaching with children in mind remain rare. This may be due to the lack of practice allowing mothers to attend lectures and seminars with their children. It is important to develop this practice to support women's desire for education and self-improvement, as well as to create more comfortable conditions for young mothers.

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