Every week I learn more about the students. It seems that I am the student more so than them. This week the Therapeutic class has been on the course topic of Careers. The students were introduced to the inventory assessment, goal setting, the personal data sheet and building a resume. Students have complained that they they thought they were in a health science course and not a Business or English course. Well, I had one more writing task for them on Friday.
This idea was given to me by another Health Science teacher; it is an opportunity to say thank you to someone who has helped or inspired you at school, as well as to learn how to write a thank you note. The students were allowed to pick the stationary to write their notes on, which I envisioned was going to be special. Well, once I give them the instructions, many were excited but some said that they had no one to thank at the school. In fact, one young lady was so upset that for a few seconds she explained that no one had helped her in life and she had absolutely no one to thank for anything.
I am thinking, this did not go as planned. The students gave me their letters to distribute to administrators and teachers. Within the letters there was one addressed to Heaven. OK, so were do I send this one. As I read the letter, the young man went on to express his sincere thanks for life and all that God had allowed his mother to do for him. The lesson taught to me is that I must listen to the students. Many have wombs that are deep but If you keep going they will try. It does not always go the way we want but in the end they learned how to write a thank you note.
I enjoyed reading your post. Sometimes the only adult mentor in a student's life is their teacher. So it’s a really special thing to have a student open up to you and share their personal life and experiences. The other day my son had to write a thank you note as a class assignment. He wrote a touching letter to his father. He thanked his father for always being there for him. The letter brightened my husbands’ week. I am sure that teachers allover the school felt appreciated, and it might have brightened their day.
ReplyDeleteHey Freda life is just so so not set in stone. When we think we are on one path many doors open and when we peek into them we see so much. But the big question is what do we do with the knowledge we get? Keep on enjoying your teachable moments - we learn a lot from our students when we listen to them. I feel that this is one of the best qualities a teacher could have; being able to listen and think outside the box.
ReplyDelete