Thank You….
As educators, we sometimes forget the impact we have--lost amid grades, attendance, TPA, lesson plans, small salaries and budget cuts, and SOL scores.
As we prepare for our Thanksgiving break, please take a second to stop and reflect on the influence you’ve had on our students. So while sometime it might seem like we’re over-focused on scores and program, it’s your dedication to our students that makes everything we do at Monticello possible. Thank you for
- Not accepting anything but our students’ best
- Comforting a crying student
- Patience with a challenging student
- Maintaining professionalism when challenges present themselves
- Helping unlock each student’s potential
- Instilling a love for learning in your students
- Being patient
- Opening their eyes to the world around them
- The passion you bring to teaching
- Supporting all of our students as they grow
- Empowering your students
- Seeing the positives in the most challenging student
- Promoting real-life skills
Thinking about ALL our Students
As we prepare for the Thanksgiving break, our thoughts often turn to time with families, to lavish Thanksgiving spreads, or to Black Friday shopping. For many of our students, however, Thanksgiving break means several days without hot food. Other homes might lack heat. For some it means countless chores or babysitting or, sadly, living in an abusive home.
So as we approach Thanksgiving, please don’t forget that for many of students this is a challenging time, one of tremendous stress and anxiousness. To all of our students, but especially those with troubling home lives, Monticello is much more than a place of learning.
Below is a blog I wrote several years ago. It’s long but it was one of those seminal events in my life:
During my early years of teaching, I had a student (I’ll call him John) who often put his head down in my class. I had cajoled and spoken to him too many times to count, when one day as soon as class began he began to sleep before the tardy bell even rang. The nerve! I went over to his desk, tapped him on the shoulder and flatly stated, “You need to stay awake.” I turned my attention to beginning class.
As the students worked on their bell ringer, I began to take attendance. By the time I had gotten to John’s name, he was already dozing off. How was that possible? I had spoken to him less than three minutes ago.
As a relatively novice teacher, I was furious. I took it personally. I walked over to his desk, tapped him on the shoulder. No response. I leaned down to him and whispered, “You have work to do.” Again to no avail. My frustration mounted. Many of his classmates were now watching. As a young teacher, I felt I had to prove myself. I couldn’t let a fifteen-year-old show me up.
I knocked—maybe even pounded—hard on his desk.
He shot up! In one fluid motion, he pushed his books off his desk and shouted “Leave me the **** alone you ****!”
Any eyes that weren’t on us before, now surely were. I was stunned. Silence came over the room.
I stood speechless as he stormed out and slammed the door.
I’m sure I stumbled over my next words as I tried to regain my composure and the class. I was furious that a student had just cussed me out, but I knew I couldn’t let my emotions get the better of me (although in hindsight, they already had).
I managed to teach the next portion of the lesson before I stepped into the hall to confront John. John sat on the floor, curled into a cocoon. Stunned, I searched for words, “John…”
He looked up, tears rolled down his face. I stood speechless. How could he go from this maniac who just cussed me out to a timid, fear-ridden young boy?
Changing tactics, I bent next to him. “What’s going on?”
“Mr. G. I’m sorry. I’ve had a horrible night. I shouldn’t have cussed.”
I paused. Again, unsure of what to say.
John opened up, “Last night my mom’s boyfriend was over. They started arguing. My younger brother and sister were scared. The argument grew worse and worse.”
He continued, “He started beating her. Right in front of us! We're in the kitchen and they were in the living room. I tried to pretend not to be scared. But my mom was crying. My brother and my sister were crying. I didn’t know what to do. I just held my brother and sister. I held them tight. I took them to my room.”
“My mom’s boyfriend, he’s such an ***. He's drinking. My mom’s crying. Everyone except him is crying. I’ve talked to her about him, but she says they love each other.”
I stammered, “I’m sorry.”
“He yelled at her all night. He beat her up good. My sister and I never fell asleep. All three of us cuddled up in one bed for the entire night. My mom didn’t get up in the morning to send us off to school. I was scared to check on her when I left. I did though. She got beat up good.”
“John, I’m sorry. Let’s go to guidance.”
Another teacher, walking towards the teacher workroom, crossed our paths and asked, “Everything alright?”
Immediately I experienced an epiphany. If only I had started off the class by asking John, “Everything alright?”
The entire confrontation would have been avoided, but more importantly John would have known that I was there for him.
Instead of my unwieldy attempt to demonstrate power, I needed to open up my heart and soul.
I had succumbed to thoughts of revenge, when my thoughts should have been of compassion and mercy.
As teachers, before we reach our students minds, we must reach their hearts and souls.
Epilogue
John, the guidance counselor and I spent the remainder of the period talking while the teacher who passed me in the hall covered my class.
Social services and the police were contacted.
Over the remainder of the year, John and I had an uneasy relationship. If I saw his name on the absentee list, I worried. I’d check with the attendance office and if they knew nothing, I’d call home.
In class, I tried to comfort John; to be there for him. He never opened up, and I never pursued/pushed the issue. I told him many times that I was always there for him and would talk whenever and wherever. He never took me up on the offer.
Sadly, I don’t know what happened to John and his family. During the summer, they moved to another county.
I doubt I positively impacted John’s life, but John forever changed my approach to teaching and to life. To this day, I wish it were the other way around.
Need to Knows
Positive Referral Link : http://go.shr.lc/1XRoeub With the end of the first semester a while ago, why not refer you top student, or the one who made great progress or you’re really proud of. It’s a great way to Embrace Students and Inspire Learning.
Calendar Items
Birthdays
November 23: Lauren Williamson
November 25: Amy Hunt
Worth Your Time
How Can We Stop Teaching to the Test and Start Empowering Learning : Vicki Davis’ podcast with Eric Sheninger
Executive Summary of SOL Innovation Committee : OK, it’s not a great read, but it’s pretty darn important
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