She wanted to drop the class...

"Hey Mr. H
I started looking at the answer key for the "code HS" and I'm starting to get it! I think ill be able to finish the missing assignments by tonight."

I received this message this morning as I opened my school email.

There is a back story here.

This young lady is in my Web Site Design class where students learn the basics of HTML and CSS. Just 2 days before this, she came to me and wanted to drop the class.

She had no confidence. She felt like she was never going to get it.

I listened carefully to her as she told me this. When she finished, I empathized.

It was just 3 years ago I was put into a position to teach AP Computer Science and Web Site Design courses. I have never coded before then. I was scared. I had doubts. I had no confidence.

Another teacher helped me out. Walked me through it. I have been teaching some sort of coding ever since.

I shared this story with my student in this situation. I told her I would not let her fail the course. I would do everything in my power to help her succeed.

She dug in. She tried. She is succeeding.

Be real with your peers, students, and coworkers. Show empathy.

It works.