Student Biography: Jadelyn Smith
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- Module: Care and Equity
In this exercise you will explore the stories and lives of your current students. You may choose to write a biography (incorporating the elements identified below) or you may choose to draw or otherwise represent a student (again, finding some way to incorporate the identified elements). Be as specific as possible, but think of your imagined biography as an amalgamation of students, rather than the actual biography of an individual student you know:
Elements to include:
- Name
- Hometown(s)
- Childhood education experience: type of school attended, typical grades, relationship with teachers, overall impression of what school is for z Family background: How may parents, siblings, etc. Who do they live with? Who do they have close relationships with?
- Interests & hobbies
- Declared major(s) or minor(s)
- Future life goals
- Stressors and obstacles
- Opportunities and comforts
Jadelyn Smith is from Franklin NH, she has 1 sibling in high school and 1 sibling in middle
school. Her parents are divorced, her Dad has been in jail for the past 10 years, and her
Mom works two jobs. Jadelyn’s siblings are home alone a lot, and have been getting into
dangerous habits. She worries about her family, but is determined to be the first person in
her family to graduate from college. Jadelyn attended her local public schools, and
completed her first year at a community college to save money. Her public school teachers
did not really notice Jadelyn because she was quiet and didn’t display behavioral issues
like most of her classmates did. She would turn in her homework, but she always looked
tired. She would end up getting D’s and C’s on most days, and B’s on her best days.
Jadelyn was behind in reading and math, but loved music class. The music program was
cut during her Junior year, and her grades began to drop again. Through a scholarship grant
for low income & under-served kids, she was given an opportunity to attend college and
get her degree in Music. She kept up with her piano playing outside of school by playing
the piano at her local church. Jadelyn’s life goals are to become a pianist for live musical
performances, and she is considering learning how to tune pianos as a side hustle. While
she is at PSU, she has to work 20 hrs / week waitressing, and has taken on an 18 credit
course load to graduate early to save money. She is constantly tired, cannot afford to pay for
any extra course fees, and struggles to afford basic necessities. If Jadelyn’s laptop or cell
phone were to fail, she would have no savings to replace either.
When you’re done, write 1-2 paragraph reflecting upon the student you have created. Where did you get your inspiration? How is this student like/different than you were as a student? As a teacher, what do you think are the 3 most important things you can do for this student?
I got my inspiration for this student from the stories my husband has told me working at a public school in Franklin. I often wonder how many of these kids can afford to go to college with how their parents have set them up… it looks like 43% pursue higher ed at 4 year colleges, and 36% pursue trade school or a 2 year college. The most popular colleges for Franklin grads are actually PSU, UNH, and SNHU.
This student is the opposite example of me, I grew up in a well-off house with both parents, and they had saved up a college fund for me. I never had to worry about them when I was away, and could afford to buy things that were completely unnecessary. I went out with my friends, I didn’t need to get a job while I was in school, and I didn’t need to max out my credits. If my phone broke, I could just swipe my parents credit card. I was so extremely privileged it was embarrassing honestly. I thank my parents all the time for the head start they provided for me, because that is a rare case for most kids today.
I believe that the three most important things we could do for this student are:
- Check in with them. Ask them how they are doing, and be human with them. Students like Jadelyn have not had many adults in their life that supported them, and they shouldn’t have to “go it alone” forever. Give grace when they fall behind.
- Provide resources. At the beginning of each semester, go over campus resources with the whole class so no one feels singled out. Direct students to loaner laptops if theirs breaks, the food pantry if they are hungry, the health center if they are unwell and can’t afford a doctor’s visit.
- Encourage them. Tell them they are doing a great job and that you’re proud of them. Sometimes that is enough, it re-ignites their fire, their drive to succeed. Attend their concert or their sports match! Showing up for students outside of class time is also a great way to support them.