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.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Surprise
The most rewarding experience I've had as a teacher happened yesterday in the lunch line. I rarely eat lunch in the cafeteria but decided to give it a try since I had not brought lunch from home. Teachers are allowed to break into the student line so we don't have to wait for lunch. I happened to enter the line beside one of my students. This student struggles to stay on task, doesn't take redirection well and can be argumentative. Unexpectedly, this student looped her arm around mine and said with a smile, "I'm with Ms. Redding". What a surprise! I was so happy that this student, despite having behavioral difficulties in my class, felt comfortable enough to acknowledge me this way. Her positive reaction to me seemed completely genuine and sincere. What a great way to welcome October 2009.
Yay for Melissa. It is always so nice to know that you are making a difference!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I feel like all me and a certain student will do is butt heads. Then when I see them around school, they have a really positive reaction to me. Of course my reaction is complete shock, but I use that out of class relationship as a tool inside the class. I approach them with the "you don't have to mark your territory in here, it's all of our territory." It seems to work, so I try to be as visible as possible to my students outside of class, so perhaps we get other opportunities to interact. It's a shame how many of my colleagues stay locked in there own little space, when a simple stroll through the halls could make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteHi, Melissa - I can just picture that happening in the crowded lunch line - thanks for sharing! Building that kind of relationship can also help you separate the student from the behavior, so to speak, in your class. Makes it easier to deal with the challenging behavior without taking it out on the student - keep after it!
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