New semester

The new semester was like starting the year for me. My school is different than my classmates in that I work in a special ed center. I only have eleven students and I have a paraprofessional to assist me. I have the same students from about 8:15-1:30. This semester I got three new students. It doesn't sound like much but my student population typically comes to Warren Tech with long histories of discipline problems and general frustration with education in general. Also with new students coming in it changes the dynamics of the class. My students generally function better with a high level of structure and assignments that they have a high likelihood of success. Once they see that they are in a learning environment where they will not be embarrassed if they make a mistake most of the time they do well.

I try to concentrate and give notice to the positive things they accomplish as much as possible and I try to build a sense of self esteem with our students. I also make an effort to know their parents. Parental support has been very beneficial to my program. Some of my students are so funny that the laughs make the job worthwhile. I'll share one story that comes to mind.

Just before the Christmas break our class was returning from Work Based Learning on the bus and the bus had to stop for a long train. The train was hauling car after car of coal. Feeling pleased with myself that I was using every available "teachable moment" I explained to the class that the train was probably heading for a coal burning electric power plant and that coal was used to generate much of our electricity. One of my students said, "No sir Mr. Jackson that coal is for all these bad kids in Dekalb County for Christmas". He was dead serious and I had to sit there and try not to crack up. It wasn't easy.