Today’s classroom teacher wears many hats, and that’s a fact. Not only are they responsible to help children develop and improve their literacy, mathematic, and social science skills, they must also evaluate student progress and performance along the way. To be upfront, I’m not just talking about grades for the aforementioned subject areas. I’m talking about an assessment that goes much deeper.

On a daily basis, classroom teachers must assess the human needs of each and every student in their charge. Why is this type of assessment so important? Simply put, if the most basic of human needs are not met, students can think of little else and learning becomes more difficult. Students are also less likely to perform at their full potential.

According to the findings of Abraham Maslow, a famous psychologist, human needs are based on a system of priorities, similar to the rungs of a ladder. Once a person’s first-rung needs are met, he or she may be willing and ready to ascend to the second rung. Once that person’s second-rung needs are met, he or she may be willing and ready to ascend to the third rung, and so on. His hierarchy of human needs includes:

Rung 1: Basic Physical Needs

(Examples include needs such as food, shelter, and sleep.)

Rung 2: Safety and Security Needs

(Examples include needs such as security, stability, and order.)

Rung 3: Community and Belonging Needs

(Examples include needs such as love, belonging, and friendship.)

Rung 4: Esteem Needs

(Examples include needs of acceptance by others, a sense of achievement, and independence.)

Rung 5: Self Actualization Needs

(Examples include harmony, balance, and meeting our full potential.)

Maslow’s theory of basic, psychological and self-fulfillment needs emerged in the mid-1950s, and is still pertinent to classroom teachers today. By understanding human needs, teachers can assist students as they move consciously or subconsciously up the ladder. In fact, the teacher’s role is crucial and the crux of effective teaching.

An effective teacher invites students to join in the learning process. They provide opportunities for growth, and they show an investment in the growth of each student. They let students know that they are important. And, they also teach their students the art of persistence.

As each human need is reasonably met, students can begin to lose anxiety and fears. They will hopefully be more willing to help people who are struggling on the lower rungs of the ladder and become more creative in the process. A teacher should always keep the top rung of the ladder in mind and help students reach it because people who reach this rung are more likely to be joyful, empathetic, giving, and fulfilled.

How are you supporting your students’ journey up the ladder?