I don't think the kids I have are worse this year than previous years. It could be that I am just tired of the idea that they don't get better. The ones I had two years ago who refused to to listen during class still do not listen. Big surprise. I would think having to repeat a class would tell them they need to change.
Nope. They just keep saying (during class) that they are going to hire a tutor. Duh, why not be quiet, do your work, come to class? I guess it is easier to act up while you have an audience and make it someone else's problem.
I have a boy who dropped out last year. Unfortunately he is back. He sleeps during class (those are the best times), calls me insulting names (like Ayatollah - I should be impressed he even knows the word), or says he is going to do this or that to get me fired. I will be talking with his administrator. The problem is I am not impressed with the administrator's ability to deal with it. I keep hoping he will drop out again. He is already 18 and cannot graduate before he is 20.
And then I have the ones who are special ed. Some just do not know how to behave in a general classroom and expect that their wants, desires (note: not needs) will be met as soon as voiced. I want to help the ones that try, but do not expect that you say jump and I do. One has created such a hostile environment that I am going to have to talk to administrators, etc. about sexual harassment. I have NEVER had to do that, despite working in all male companies.
I saw this, thought of these kids, and wonder why I bother.
Two of the ones who made my life a living hell last year by tormenting a weaker student, came by last week, all hearts and flowers, "did you miss me?" I said yes, but it would be the way you miss the flu when you have recovered.
But, I know, when I list these ones who make it difficult, they make up about 10% of the students. That means 90% are not irritating.
I have got to learn to ignore them or I will not last in this profession.
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3 comments:
I LOVED that slide rule picture. I put it on my desktop; you can be sure it'll end up on Teacherseducation at some point.
I hear you, my sistah, and I feel the same way. I keep thinking, though, about the Sandra Boynton (I love her) cartoon that says "Don't let the turkeys get you down" (there's an image here: http://dragonfire1.50megs.com/Boynton/mugs07.htm). Just keep reminding yourself that the dumbass 10% isn't enough to undermine your energy....
Don't despair. We all have classes like you describe.
One of the reasons I decided it was time to leave teaching was that I could see little to no improvement in the kids I was getting each year as sophomores. I expected better and it wasn't happening. I was working so hard to make these kids into decent students. Now, years later, they come back to thank me, but the work was too grueling to continue.
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