Lessons Learned!
I don't have to tell you how busy we are as teachers and how overwhelmed we get trying to fit in everything we have to do for our students, fellow teachers, administrators, etc. Even in all this daily commotion however, I find I learn something new almost everyday. I learned one such lesson (or lessons) just last Thursday. It was the end of the period of the last class of a very long day. The students were busy in their groups with their usual loudness working together to complete a packet due that day. One student however was sitting off on his own after several attempts by me to get him into his group. As I turned to him to again to encourage him to get into his group, he raised his hand and asked me if he could ask me something. Now, I can hear you say: "What is so extraordinary about that?" Well, this student had hardly ever said a word in my class and had never raised his hand. I sat down next to him and he asked me: "Is it normal for a teenager to be depressed all the time?" Well, from the look on his face I knew he was talking about himself and the red flags went up. The other students were busy doing their "thing" so I sat down next to him and let him talk. Thanks to the classes at NTI and for the nursing experiences I have had, I was able to connect with him.(Now even though I had learned these lessons already- I never had to put them into practice.)
I was able to dismiss the class as it was the end of the period from where I was sitting; not from the my usual place at the door! I continued to talk with him some more and convince him to go with me to the counselor. He shared a lot with me that day and I was not about to let him go home without some immediate intervention. I have not seen him since as I only have him every other day but I think about him every day. I pray he has the same support at home as he has here. I learned (again) how important trust is especially for a teen. I learned that they look for not only someone to trust but for someone that truly cares about them. I learned that they are full of emotions that are up and down all the time; making bad decisions at times. I have learned that if we tune out as teachers, we can lose students that need us the most, and finally, that to be a teacher can be the most rewarding job despite the low pay and long hours! Yes, it was lessons learned!
Theresa,
ReplyDeleteThis is so refreshing. Thank you for sharing. You could have easily dismissed this student. However, letting him go would have cost you a great opportunity. I am glad you saw the opportunity, were well trained and took it. We do have many rewards. There is no telling what could have happened to him without you or what you may have helped prevent. I hope the next time you see him or at least somewhere along the way he verbalizes what it meant for you to take the time. It shows that even though students may not speak in class very often, they are observing us and creating an image of who they think we are and if they trust us. I am glad he opened up to you!
Theresa, I am learning much the same thing right now! (see my blog post this week) Some of my greatest rewards right now are coming from students who have been at the brink of disaster. They are so hungry for someone to hear them and accept them without passing judgement. It has been an incredible gift to see a few of my students who have been arrested, on probation, involved with gangs, etc... take a turn with me because they know I authentically care for who they are and want for them a successful future.
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