i know i never write in this thing
This week at school, my students drove me crazy. They think its winter break already - sleeping in class, not turning in homework, and general constant complaining about having to be at school. I have a movie day planned for next week, but I have had to threaten to take it away if the little cherubs don't behave. So far, it's looking as if two classes are going to earn "A Christmas Story" and candy; the other class is going to earn themselves right into a quiz.
Despite all their crazy and bad attitudes, I've been feeling more and more like I'm connecting with them and getting to know them. When I did my student teaching at Hughes, this took a lot less time because I was only running 10-16 students per class. It's a lot easier to focus on individual kids with such small class sizes - but I wil probably never be so lucky again. Most of my students now are very high maintenance, and because I've got all 30 of them needing my constant attention, it's taken so much longer to learn their quirks, how to relate to each individual one...The other day in class Jessica was sleeping, and I kept waking her up. She was in the worst mood and was highly annoyed -- She probably thought I was a nag, and I was frustrated by her apathy about "Of Mice and Men." But later on when I subbed in her gym class, we laughed about it. Just because we don't get along during one particular class period, it doens't mean that we won't ever get along, or have a bad connection. Likewise, I think my students are starting to realize that although I may be very disappointed and angry at them one day, it doens't mean that I don't care about them.
My teaching life goes in all directions. Sometimes I feel like I am running out of steam, ideas for lessons, and patience. And sometimes I actually feel competant. Some of my lessons turn out really badly, some work, and occasionally, I have one that goes really awesomely. On those days I love my students, and I love teaching. Just think how great it's going to be 5 or 10 years down the road when I've weeded out all of the bad lessons!
Despite all their crazy and bad attitudes, I've been feeling more and more like I'm connecting with them and getting to know them. When I did my student teaching at Hughes, this took a lot less time because I was only running 10-16 students per class. It's a lot easier to focus on individual kids with such small class sizes - but I wil probably never be so lucky again. Most of my students now are very high maintenance, and because I've got all 30 of them needing my constant attention, it's taken so much longer to learn their quirks, how to relate to each individual one...The other day in class Jessica was sleeping, and I kept waking her up. She was in the worst mood and was highly annoyed -- She probably thought I was a nag, and I was frustrated by her apathy about "Of Mice and Men." But later on when I subbed in her gym class, we laughed about it. Just because we don't get along during one particular class period, it doens't mean that we won't ever get along, or have a bad connection. Likewise, I think my students are starting to realize that although I may be very disappointed and angry at them one day, it doens't mean that I don't care about them.
My teaching life goes in all directions. Sometimes I feel like I am running out of steam, ideas for lessons, and patience. And sometimes I actually feel competant. Some of my lessons turn out really badly, some work, and occasionally, I have one that goes really awesomely. On those days I love my students, and I love teaching. Just think how great it's going to be 5 or 10 years down the road when I've weeded out all of the bad lessons!