Students often work as hard as you expect them to work. If a teacher is satisfied with partial effort, then a student will put forth minimal effort. By raising the expectations, the class rises to meet the challenge. Teachers need to push students for them to reach their full potential. By setting the expectations higher, students have something to work towards. Once a runner crosses the finish line, he stops running; likewise, when a student masters a course too easily, he stops working.
Establish challenges for students to get them involved quickly. They need to be active learners to succeed. Students will begin to work collaboratively in a challenging classroom environment. When students begin working harder, the others become motivated and will solicit the help of their peers. A classroom of individuals now becomes a community of learners. Teachers can facilitate this engagement through extensive group projects and presentations.
When teachers push their students without discouraging them, they begin to build their confidence. If teachers believe their students can achieve greatness, students will buy into the idea as well. Many times, students let insecurity and anxiety take control of their academic success. Teachers, through realistic, but high expectations, can help students get past insecurities and become successful students. Confidence cannot be built in an environment that a student knows is not challenging.
Life presents constant challenges, just as those that students face as they advance in grade level. Each year expectations on students increase. If students have taken a course where they were not adequately challenged, the adjustments they must make for the next class can often become overwhelming and can even lead to failure. When teachers establish high expectations, students become accustomed to rigor and adapt to new challenges more effectively. Learning to push themselves prepares students for their lives after school as well.