Today one of my students returned from juvenile detention. He was gone all of last week because he was there, not sure what for. This is his second time this year being in juvy. My heart breaks for him and I find myself wondering what he is thinking, what the 14 years of his life have been like, what he has done to get into so much trouble. I wonder if he has a plan for his life or just lives by the day. I wonder if he understands why his behavior warrants consequences. I wonder if anyone has listened to his story. I wonder what I can do.
The return of this student wrecked havoc on my class. He constantly disrupts, puts others down, says defiant comments to me . . . all the other students get annoyed with his behavior to the point of being angry with him. Today he was whistling, then he was copy catting what I was saying, then he was telling people to shut up, then he was refusing to take notes, then . . . *sigh* This misbehavior must flow from an unmet need. Maybe he has only had this behavior modeled for him in his life thus far. Possibly he needs attention and this is the only way he has been able to receive it. Maybe he is insecure and feels he must put others down to hide this. I don't know.
Somehow I must show grace yet still hold him to expectations, I must have patience but consider the learning environment, I must love while following through with consequences. I want to get through to this student and to see him reach the potential that I know he has. I want the best for him. I want him to make good choices and do something with his life. I want him to know that someone cares about him. I want to help him, but I'm not sure how. For now I will wait, watch, think, and bring him before my Heavenly Father who knows him best.
From the other side of the desk--heartbroken for my student(s)
The return of this student wrecked havoc on my class. He constantly disrupts, puts others down, says defiant comments to me . . . all the other students get annoyed with his behavior to the point of being angry with him. Today he was whistling, then he was copy catting what I was saying, then he was telling people to shut up, then he was refusing to take notes, then . . . *sigh* This misbehavior must flow from an unmet need. Maybe he has only had this behavior modeled for him in his life thus far. Possibly he needs attention and this is the only way he has been able to receive it. Maybe he is insecure and feels he must put others down to hide this. I don't know.
Somehow I must show grace yet still hold him to expectations, I must have patience but consider the learning environment, I must love while following through with consequences. I want to get through to this student and to see him reach the potential that I know he has. I want the best for him. I want him to make good choices and do something with his life. I want him to know that someone cares about him. I want to help him, but I'm not sure how. For now I will wait, watch, think, and bring him before my Heavenly Father who knows him best.
From the other side of the desk--heartbroken for my student(s)
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