Hello all,
This week I definitely had a shocking moment in which my students did the unexpected. I have brought up the issue of a rowdy (for lack of a better word) 6th period class with several of you and I have gotten some great tips on how to handle this class. Well, this past week was rough with this particular class. They have had a lot of freedom to shoot their video for several days, but when it came time for us to be back in the classroom to edit, they would not settle down. I ended up losing my cool a bit and making them sit in silence for most of the period to reflect on how to be respectful. Needless to say, this put me in an awful mood. I am bad about taking my work and emotions home with me. I went home and brewed all evening about how much I just did not like this class and that they would never be the class I want them to be. I kept focusing on all the reasons they made me angry and how I just knew it would not get any better, no matter what strategies I implement (I tend to get a little dramatic when I'm angry).
Anyways, the next day I was dreading 6th period all day. It would put me in a bad mood just thinking that I would have to teach this class again. I was very surprised when the class came in and worked diligently. Was it perfect? No, but the students were much more behaved and I actually saw some of them helping each other to understand the editing system. I was very impressed by this. The class is mostly sophomores, but there is one senior in the class. She came up to my privately and said, "Mrs. Miller, I would like to apologize on behalf of the class. I know we have all been disrespectful and that's just not right." This shocked me and also made me feel pretty guilty. The night before I had gone home and just though about how I did not like the class as a whole, and I based those emotions off of one day. The class is capable of behaving and they proved that to me. I have to remember not to base my beliefs on students' abilities on one unpleasant class period. The class stepped up and they are continuing to work hard to meet their deadline for their first video project.
Anna
*Please don't judge me for this post. I am so embarrassed by my reaction to this situation and that I kind of gave up on the kids for a day before realizing I was completely wrong!
Anna,
ReplyDeletePlease do not be embarrassed of your post of your behavior. You are not alone! I certainly have "been there, done that". I had a "bad" 7th period last year and this year my senior class is my 7th period and they are keeping the streak rolling. I have felt what you are feeling and I applaud you for overcoming it!
Your post tells me that even though your student were misbehaving...they still respect you as a person and as their teacher. They showed this by their markedly improved behavior and team work the next day. They reflected on how they acted and because they have respect for you...they changed their behavior for the better. In my opinion, this speaks volumes to your character as a person and an educator!
Keep your head up!