I have fought so hard with these kids this year! I have despaired of EVER getting through to them, of ever having them see that this - this intervention - is in their very best self-interest. Every day, they are showing signs that they now see the light. They are taking charge, putting themselves in the driver's seat with their reading and writing. (And loving their teacher, which goes a long way to repair the ego they battered earlier this year.)Today we curled up around the lava lamp for read aloud. I got two pages into it and we side-tracked for a discussion of adoption and foster care and all the issues that lead to parents making the decision to not raise their own children. It was deep and close and caring.
One other nugget for the days next year when I have the new, untrained ones... Parents and teachers of middle schoolers, I direct your attention to this...
I let slip yesterday that, because of a schedule snafu, one student had spent an hour one-on-one with me in my office. My news was met with a chorus of "How come she got to do that?"
Aren't these adolescents supposed to be wresting their independence from us? They are not. Not anymore than we want to be free of them. I'm already sad about the year ending.
Yeah, I'm a loser. But I'm a grateful loser.
6 comments:
LOVE it.
What a wonderful feeling, KNOWING you made such a difference. Enjoy the last few weeks with them! They are lucky to have had you.
Um, you're the opposite of a loser! Your students are so lucky to have such a positive influence in their lives. I still remember and think of the great teachers I had who made such a difference. Enjoy the rest of the school year and then SUMMER!!! :-)
It's always interesting to watch the masks they put on for most of the day, actually fall once you get to know them. Yes, they are still kids.
Sometimes teachers, in all their frustrations, forget that they are still kids-looking for guidance.
Thank goodness there are still young ones like you who are willing to put out the energy.
The older ones, like me, can't seem to muster it up very much any more. Sometimes...but not consistently! Have a great rest of the year!
Where were you when I was going through middle school?! (Oh, right, en utero....)
This post totally captures the essence of teaching-it is so hard all year but then in one small moment it has all paid off. Your students sound very cool. They are lucky to have you!
Great post.
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