Principles and Processes: Understanding Student Needs in Education

This report delves into the critical topic of student needs within the school environment, emphasizing the diverse requirements of individual students and the responsibilities of educators and caregivers. It highlights the significance of teacher training in addressing these needs effectively, advocating for an in-depth approach to the teaching process. The report references Maslow's hierarchy of needs as a model for understanding student requirements, encompassing psychological needs, safety and security, social belonging, and self-esteem. It explores how teachers can support students through transformational and participative leadership, promoting two-way communication and implementing strategies like lesson planning and counseling. Furthermore, the report discusses Herzberg's two-factor theory, the transactional leadership theory, and the importance of equity in the classroom to foster a just and supportive learning environment. The report stresses the importance of teachers creating an environment where students feel valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Running head: PRINCIPLES AND PROCESSES
Principles and Processes
Name of the Student:
Nam of the University:
Author’s Note:

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The topic of the paper is the needs of individuals in the school. This is a very important
topic as it helps in making the schools and the parents aware of their duties in order to cater to all
the needs and demands of the students. It must be noted in this context that the needs of different
students are different. Thus the teachers and the caregivers need to make sure that they are able
to provide the right kind of effort and the right resources as per the needs and demands of the
individual student. The teachers must be trained in a proper way so that they can cater to the
individual needs of their students. The process of teaching must be dealt with in an in-depth
manner so that the students can be assured regarding the service and the care that will be
rendered to them by their teachers.
The teacher must know that in order to make the teaching process complete they have to
understand the individual needs of their students. This can be understood by the teachers' by
following the model of Maslow. The theory of the hierarchy of needs is a very useful model that
helps in understanding the needs of the students. The first layer talks about the psychological
needs that mainly talks about the basic accepted standards of life like food, shelter and clothing.
Stronge & Tucker (2017) is of the opinion that this first stage might be a kind of assurance for
the educators. In other words many of the teachers take it for granted that the students are getting
the basic needs of life. However Patton, Parker & Tannehill (2015) has argued that not every
student is able to satisfy their psychological needs. There are students who suffer from several
family problems or witness violence between their parents.
The parents might be so busy that they might often forget to take proper care of their
children. In such cases it becomes very tough for the students to get any kinds of motivation
(Hoy & Miskel, 1987). The second is the need for safety and security. The teachers must keep a
sharp eye on the behavior of the students in the class. Körkkö, Kyrö-Ämmälä & Turunen (2016)

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has suggested that often students stay silent and do not really take up any such kinds of
responsibility. This does not necessarily mean that they are inattentive. The teachers must try to
know about family history and the background of those students. There can be some students
witnessing physical and verbal abuse among their parents every day. This is likely to create a
kind of fear among them. A student who is suffering from some internal fright or tension will
naturally not be able to take part in any kind of academic activities going on around in the class.
The need for socializing and belonging makes an individual know that they must make
friendships with their peers. The teachers must see if the students are mixing with their
classmates and are ready to go out on any kinds of group activities with their friends. He teachers
must use this opportunity to help the shy and quiet students to develop social ties. This can be
done by engaging them in many of the group based activities where they can interact with one
another. The last but it the least is the need for self-esteem is fulfilled only when all these needs
are satisfied. This can be done in case of the students if the teachers take you an active role. If the
teachers deal with each and every individual student with huge patience and make strategies that
will be helping the students in the long run the students will also get some good lessons.
The transformational leadership theory will be imbibed within the students. The students
will grow up with the values of taking some useful lessons from their teachers. Transformation
theory goes by the saying that "leaders and their followers raise one another to higher levels
of morality and motivation”( Patton, Parker & Tannehill, 2015) The teachers must try to bring
about a change or a transformation within the existing condition of the students. This can be
done if the teacher acts as a transformational leader by taking motivating students and helping
them to a higher and improved level in life. The teacher has to develop a two-way
communication process. The teachers have to develop a transparent and approachable nature so

4PRINCIPLES AND PROCESSES
that the students can easily reach out to them and share their issues. The teacher has to take up
strategies like lesson planning so that the teacher can manage the time as per the individual needs
of the children. For an instance if the teacher finds any of the students to be very shy and quiet,
they must take immediate steps. Rather than scolding the children them, the teacher has to take
strategies like consulting with the family members of the student and also ask for the health
records. On finding some issues, the teachers must arrange for some special counseling sessions
or therapists to make sure that the special needs of the students are not going unnoticed.
The theory of Herzberg talks about two different theories, namely the hygiene factor and
the motivator factors (Alshmemri, Shahwan-Akl & Maude, 2017). The factors of motivators are
recognition, achievement, advancements and the hygiene factors refer to working conditions,
policy administration and others. The students often get dissatisfied due to the rules that are
formulated by the school board or the trustees. For instance students might not like a particular
teacher due to the strictness on punctuality and absenteeism. Thus the teacher has to undertake
some strategies that will be helping students to know about the importance of maintaining
punctuality at school (Frankland, 2017). Punishments will not be a fruitful tool to be used here.
The teacher has to go by the transactional leadership theory in this case.
The method of rewards and punishments can turn out to be very useful here. The teacher
has to use strategies like constant development and training. It is through proper training and
development that he can explain to his students the need for being punctual and regular.
Strategies like 100% attendance award can be started in order to recognize the efforts of students
who are regular and punctual to their schools (Galloway 2018). On the other hand if students are
intentionally not abiding by the school rules then the teacher has to follow a policy of
punishment. The punishments however must not be extremely brutal in nature. The teachers have

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to make sure that this system of regarding and punishment is acting as a source of motivation for
the students. The students will grow up and use this same strategy even in their workplaces.
Students in their future life will be able to develop themselves as idea leaders.
The equity theory must be followed by the teachers in school. Teachers must know that
the mannerisms are to be cultivated within students’ right from their childhood or from the early
years. Schools are the places where teachers have to make students know about equality and
impartiality. The teachers have to make sure that they are not being biased with any of their
students. The student-teacher relationship is the same as the leader and follower relationship.
Students will look upon their teachers in order to learn good habits. Thus the teachers have to
make sure that they are able to exhibit a neutral and impartial treatment towards all their
students. The teachers must not teach their students to compare among one another. Even on the
days of their report car or any parent-teacher meetings they must not compare any students with
the others. This often creates a negative impact within the minds of the children and they feel
that they are capable. Teachers must try to motivate the children by appreciating their individual
capabilities. In other words if a student is good in dancing and not in academics, the teachers
must motivate him to pursue his interest in dance rather than comparing him with other
classmates who are doing good in studies. The teacher must congratulate the parents because of
the exceptional performance that the student has in the field of dancing.
This will be helpful in building a strong mindset and confidence among children. This
will also help in building the concept of organizational justice among the children right from
their early years. Teachers can build a just, equal and fair school atmosphere by giving equal
opportunities to all their students irrespective of any kinds of biases. The participative leadership
theory will be imbibed through this practice. The teachers can give equal opportunities to the

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students by involving them in all the important decision making process. It is the duty of the
teacher to make the shyest student of the class to take part in any group activities like drama, role
play, personal reflection and others.
Thus the teachers have to make sure that they are paying full attention to the overall
development of students and not only the academic aspects. It is the teachers who have to imbibe
the leadership values within their students so that they can grow up to become ideal and
responsible leaders. This will also help them to carry on their work responsibilities in a proper
way.

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