This week is cut short due to my "have to" training for two days, however, I was most proud today. Monday I was approached by Behavior Modification teachers who asked me if I would take on one more student. I was given several of these kids last semester and had some luck with a couple of them. The teachers told me that because those kids seemed to do so well in my class, I would be the one to help this kid. (They were wringing their hands as a child would do as they confessed to something terrible.)
The told me his name and said he had "issues". I said I would take him and as they walked away I heard a collective sigh of relief from those teachers. I went after them and asked "What did I just do to myself? They explain his behavior bordered on the criminal...that he had explosive anger issues and that I should never...EVER touch him. I begged for a meeting with this kid along with the evil trinity. On Tuesday I was waiting in the office with the other three Liars...er...em, I mean teachers, and in walked this three-way tie between Charles Manson, Adolph Hitler and The Boston Strangler.
He sat down across from me and leaned forward. I thought the best way to handle this guy was to make him feel as though I was interviewing for the honor of having him in my class. I said things like..."if you'll give me the chance..." and " With your OK, I'll...". This seemed to work. At the end, I remembered them saying never to touch him. I said "what the heck...I had a good 53 year run..." I offered my hand to him and while grinning sheepishly, put his in mine. It was like he said " that son-of-a @#$%& got me! In any event, today was his first class...he was tardy... improperly dressed and I thought I saw a tattoo on his arm that said..."I'm not schizophrenic, and neither am I!" ( I decided it was better to better pick and choose my battles). But when he walked in it was like Moses parting the Red Sea. At the end of the class he walked up and said that he thinks he may like this....
Second...three of my guys were arrested over the weekend for minor drinking. As the officers messed up...they yelled "you can't do that." and "You need a warrant for that." If they were telling the truth...they were right. Just though it was funny how they used last semester to learn how to properly be arrested.
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?
3 comments:
That was pretty good about the students learning to be arrested. All jokes aside, I think your program is an excellent one and I wish we had one here at school.
It sounds like you have a niche with this "new" kid and you may be the one to turn him around. Good call on having the meeting and even shaking his hand at the end. Very impressive!
Just like in criminal law, my students have started telling their doctors and nurses that "they wren't doing it right". I love those moments because it tells me that they are learning something in class!
Next year, we will have a P.S. program. I hope it is as good as yours. Your students, and the faculty around you, should appreciate having a real "pro" like you around.
Isn't it amazing when the "toughest" of students is put into the right place for them, alot of their bull#$%^ seems to fall away like dandruff.
Again, I hope the people around you appreciate you.
joec
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