Its not just a general issue, but yesterday for the first time, I was looking into a mirror. I had a kid that was frustrating the heck out of me. As I asked him a question about an assignment, he returned with a sly, smart a$$ comment that was actually somewhat amusing. I had two choices... I could take him into the shop and have a talk with him, or I could just pop off one of those tasteless "Yo Mama" jokes . Being that the "Yo Mama" thing rarely ever works and neither does sarcasm, I decided to have a talk with him. As I take him into the shop, he turns around and its almost as if I had seen a ghost. I was standing there looking into a mirror of my former high school self. I decided to go a little easier on him than planned and it seems to have done him some good.
So I guess what makes me most proud this week is finding the ability to relate to these students by using my life experiences. I find it great to help students on a daily basis and help them in a meaningful way.
Sometimes when I am ready to "pounce", I pull back exactly like you did. Frequently I check my own motivation for wanting to "take them out back". Do you think our kid's lack of maturity is curable? If so, would a Dr. please write me a prescription. I already have a 55 gallon drum of whoop-@#$, is there anything else available?
ReplyDeletejoec
You were probably the best thing that has happened to this student. Don't think for a moment that it is a coincidence that he's in your class. You will be able to reach him and help him mature if you remember to look in that "mirror." I hope you will enjoy teaching this student and impart in him a true value and sense of himself. Remember: "Intelligence plus character is the true goal of education". by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what it was like to be one of your teachers? I can only imagine. ha ha
ReplyDeleteDr. J.