I had no idea what I was getting myself into teaching high school. Somehow I thought I would not have a lot of classroom management, but I was so so wrong! Already I have had to deal with students doing the following: tripping another student, slamming papers on desks, tattling on other students, calling other students names such as Cracker or Jew or Ginger, copycatting what I am saying, yawning louder than I'm talking, refusing to participate after being asked more than three times . . . the list goes on. Today I even had a student leave the class to go to the office because they were upset with me. There is so little respect for each other and authority among students, it makes keeping a positive environment very difficult. However, I am doing everything I can to keep my classroom a place of safety, structure, and respect.
On top of classroom management I have in the last week encountered numerous sad sad stories behind the students who sit in the desks of my classrooms. One girl openly admitted she could not get her parent letter signed because her mom was drunk all the time. This was no lie, this week she is at the Safe House in Salem. Sadly, the other students laughed after she said this. Another student told me today that she had never had a teacher sit down and help her with an assignment before. Another student is currently in the process of trying to be adopted out of a home she hasn't been living in for months.
These stories of students lives are why I teach, I want them to know that I care. It doesn't matter how disrespectful or talkative they are. I believe almost all misbehavior comes from an unmet need. This first year of teaching is going to be difficult. Yesterday, I was ready to give up, but I must rise to the challenge. God loves each and every one of my students, I must do the same. Through patience, respect, and care I hope to make a difference in these students lives. May God grant me an even bigger heart than I already have for my students and school.
On top of classroom management I have in the last week encountered numerous sad sad stories behind the students who sit in the desks of my classrooms. One girl openly admitted she could not get her parent letter signed because her mom was drunk all the time. This was no lie, this week she is at the Safe House in Salem. Sadly, the other students laughed after she said this. Another student told me today that she had never had a teacher sit down and help her with an assignment before. Another student is currently in the process of trying to be adopted out of a home she hasn't been living in for months.
These stories of students lives are why I teach, I want them to know that I care. It doesn't matter how disrespectful or talkative they are. I believe almost all misbehavior comes from an unmet need. This first year of teaching is going to be difficult. Yesterday, I was ready to give up, but I must rise to the challenge. God loves each and every one of my students, I must do the same. Through patience, respect, and care I hope to make a difference in these students lives. May God grant me an even bigger heart than I already have for my students and school.
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