Respect the Person's Decision

People make decisions about their life every day. People have different priorities about what a person wants to do and does not want to do. For example, an adult student who has children in school might prioritize getting students ready for school. Children need to get up in the morning, eat breakfast, take a shower, get dressed, and the parents need to help them. Sometimes it is more important to help get children ready for school than to go to school as a parent.

A person may prioritize getting citizenship over English class because the student may know enough English to go shopping, get to work, and do daily tasks. Some students may want to stay at home and learn English at home. Some students want to learn how to type at home and would rather type than come and learn English at school. 

The teacher needs to respect the student's decision on what to prioritize in their own life. Students do not get paid by the hour to be at school so going to work is usually more important than coming to class. Many students have jobs and need to make money to support themselves and pay bills. The teacher needs to respect the student's decision about what is important to them instead of pushing what is important for them. The teacher needs to balance what is important for and to the students. 

This is the same for people who use PCA/CFSS services. The person is at the center of their own life. The person makes decisions for themselves. If the person wants to push their own wheelchair or take medication at 7:00pm instead of at 5:00pm or eat a piece of pizza even if it makes them a little sick later in the day, respect the person's decision.