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Teachers at Blue Springs R‑IV say relationships help students 'defy gravity'
Summary
Seven presenters from Blue Springs R‑IV described classroom practices that help newcomer and middle‑school students overcome cultural, linguistic and social barriers. They emphasized relationships, routine check‑ins, arts and persistence in math as ways students build confidence and succeed.
Presenter 1, a teacher with Blue Springs R‑IV, opened by noting, "My students come to the Blue Springs School District from all over the world," and said those students often must learn a new culture, language and educational system as they try to fit in. "It's just such a joy when I get to see them find success, when they can defy gravity," the presenter said, describing success as both academic progress and a feeling of connection to school.
Presenter 2 said middle schoolers face pressures that can hold them back — "peer pressure, fear of what others might think and a lot of self doubt" — and described the classroom goal as…
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