When students act differently from their usual behavior, I often speak to them individually after class. Although we are not allowed to conduct home visits due to the need to protect students’ backgrounds, I strongly believe that open communication with students is very important.

One time, I noticed that a student was often sleepy in the classroom. At first, I simply reminded him to stay awake, but the problem continued. After observing him for about a week, I decided to talk to him privately.

At the beginning, it was difficult for him to open up to me. Even though the classroom environment was engaging, there was still a barrier between teacher and student. To build trust, I started by sharing some of my own personal challenges. I wanted him to understand that I am not perfect, even as a teacher.

This approach helped him feel more comfortable, and eventually he opened up. He explained that he needed to take medication for his blood condition, and the medicine made him very sleepy.

After this conversation, I understood his situation much better. As a result, I adjusted my lessons to include more physical activities. For example, I had students move around the classroom, such as reading passages posted on the walls and answering questions. This helped keep him more engaged and supported his learning.