I have so many new students this semester it feels like I'm starting the year all over again trying to get to know 90 new adolescents. One of those new-to-me students is a good looking, well dressed, seemingly popular guy whose grades are not so hot. He's the type you have to be careful about because his smile could melt the heart of any grandmotherly type like me and he tries to use that charm to get away with murder. He really tried me the first few weeks. We all have students like him. He's not a bad kid, just playful, manipulative, and very social.
Monday morning before class this student came to me when no one was standing close by. He looked me in the eyes and said the most amazing thing to me! "I want to apologize to you for the way I have behaved the past few weeks. I know I gave you a rough time, and I was wrong. I've had some junk going on at home, and I acted that way here because of it. I'm sorry. I will behave after this, you'll see." My response was, (pause, heart-please start beating again) "Thank you. :-) Apology accepted." I was amazed and stunned. I'm surprised I was able to say anything at all. That is absolutely the last thing in the world I expected to hear out of him.
All week this kid has been so quiet and well behaved it scares me. I would like to see just a little of his spunk back in the classroom. I'm curious how the remainder of the semester will go, and I hope to have an opportunity to speak with him again soon. He may need a listening ear.
Well, I'm off to Athens for day 2 of the HOSA Spring Leadership Conference. Blog ya'll later.
This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question
1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.
FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!
Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?
1 comment:
I've never experienced that good kind of "shocker" yet, but maybe one day it'll happen to me too. I'm proud it happened to you though. After all the new students and trying times this year, you needed something good to happen. I'm sure that if he does need someone to talk to, you'll have just the right attitude to listen, and be able to offer words of wisdom.
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