Article June 10, 2002 Issue

Helping Andy

No 'bad apples' in the classroom

By Kathryn Dunton

Some of Andy's teachers might have seen him as a "bad apple." He was the type of student teachers hoped wouldn't be assigned to their classes—loud, argumentative, uncooperative. At least, that's how he appeared when he entered eight grade. But something had happened during the summer: Some people who sponsored a Boy Scout troop at their church "introduced Andy to God."

I don't know exactly what Andy learned about God that summer, but I believed him when he told me he wanted to change. My role in Andy's life at that point was to support his progress and to show him how to change his behavior so his actions would reflect his newfound desire to be and do good. I was also to help his teachers encourage his attempts to be good, instead of emphasizing and reacting to his slip-ups.

As I got to know Andy and his family better, I saw signs of some things that might have contributed to this young man's anger, defiance, and defensiveness. Andy's father didn't have many kind things to say to or about him. He spoke rudely to Andy and seemed blind to his good points. He seemed focused on Andy's flaws and appeared to have no awareness of his son's potential.

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