Three Days In!

[dawn_felagund]

So I have successfully survived three days as an English teacher in an alternative school for boys with emotional and behavioral disabilities. And I plan on going back tomorrow too

Comments

[heartofoshun]

real kids, teachers, and classrooms aren't Dangerous Minds or Freedom Writers

My favorite in that genre is "Stand and Deliver." Wishing you all the best of luck. If anyone can make a success of it, you can. You are a world-class negotiator, have enthusiasm for your subject matter and you have Bobby.

[dawn_felagund]

I've not yet seen Stand and Deliver--I'll have to check it out, even if the noble!teacher subgenre does slightly irritate me (because it makes it look like if you walk into a room with passion and caring, it will make all of the students turn out okay. So then people wonder why so many don't--because it's so much more complicated than that! Clearly it must be that the teacher is lazy and/or incompetent! Sorry ... rant out. ;)

Bobby has already told me that if he hears "staff assistance in the English room" over the walkie-talkie, he's dropping everything and running!

[drummerwench]

Not surprised you're pooped! It sounds exhausting!

But Yay! It seems like you enjoy what you're doing and that it works. I'm so happy there are people like you, and wish there were more!

[dawn_felagund]

Believe it or not, this school is less exhausting than the school where I student taught and had mostly honors students! Right now, I have zero students in my class. I know two are here, but my assistant is out trying to track them down. And we have much more support and planning time here.

But starting a new job after vacation + 4th of July ... *whew* Yeah, that explains it. :)

[dawn_felagund]

Agreed! :)

[elfscribe5]

Good for you! I think kids like this actually are desperate for someone to appreciate them for who they are.

[dawn_felagund]

I agree. Many of them have never been told that they're good at something. It also helps to actually like them, warts and all, which I do. I had a student at my internship school that every other teacher loathed. I liked him (recognizing that his behavior came from his home life and, I strongly suspect, undiagnosed Asperger's), and at the end of the school year, he told my mentor that I had been his favorite English teacher. And he did really well in my class. I think it does make a huge difference, if a student feels welcome and appreciated in a class.

[elfscribe5]

It's true that being liked by someone is pretty powerful. I wonder why so many people in the world think the answer is an authoritarian approach, forcing people to behave in a certain way through fear and intimidation. We don't seem to get still to this day a basic understanding that love and affection are more powerful and lasting incentives for behavior.

[hhimring]

Marvellous!
Hopefully, the positive feedback will be enough to tide you over the inevitable low points. Keep it up!

[dawn_felagund]

I think I have the advantage of not having excessive expectations. I'm going to try my hardest for each kid but really going to be thrilled with any difference I can make here. :)