This is tougher than it sounds. We all use make-up and some type of adornments to make us look differently than we really are. As there is nothing really wrong with working on our appearance, we must be careful to not base our acceptance of a person on the appearance of the person.
Who we are and our value are intrinsic. Your students are valuable regardless of their appearance. So, the question is, how easily do you accept your students as they truly are? Or, are you trying to make them into your image of a perfect child? If so, you are not alone. I believe it is natural for us to put our desires and definitions up front and try to make others conform to those ideas.
Trying to make others conform to your picture results in ultimate loss. Allowing students to be who they are and enjoying them as they are open wide the doorways to great gains. How a child pursues a task might be different than the way you would do it. Be courageous, let them go. Let them explore and try and imagine. Let them approach the assignment their way and be amazed at the results.
It is true that a child will somehow become like his teacher; how refreshing when a teacher becomes a little like the students!
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