troublemakers

[Control-Z]

I teach part time in the evenings. My students are actually a mix of adult and HS credit students. I've been known to complain on occasion (and with good reason) about some of the kids. There is usually a reason they need to take my night class.

I received my permanent records for Fall session just recently. (Yes, they were late. They always are.) They are supposed to offer me a heads up on any of my student's particular needs or past problems; suspensions, expulsions, legal violations. health issues, etc.

In the past I've been mostly alerted to troublemakers - I was not prepared for what I read.

Four of my students are ill. I had already dropped one. Had I known, possibly I would have offered help. The other three whose conditions include Cystic Fibrosis, neurology complications. metastatic Cancer and lung removal are all in my Monday night class together - and you would never know. They have been excellent students, courteous, involved...just as the other students in this class have been. I don't know what to say. These kids are...sweet...innocent...just kids.

I've complained so much about the troublemakers who disrupt my teaching.

I would give anything to change the records on all four to "troublemaker" - to change their reality. Damn.

My heart is heavy.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

1. :: hug ::

:hug:

[thefool_wa]

2. I'm sorry

That has to be rough. I started a post in GD that has drawn a couple of teachers in so I've been getting their perspectives quite a bit today. It makes my heart heavy for you that there is so much tragic health in your class. :hug:

My advice: be thankful for the help you can provide to them and that they do not have the health problems and troublemaker on their records.

[Control-Z]

3. Thanks

You are right. The one I had to drop - not a troublemaker but not performing - was of great frustration to me. I lost sleep over him.

[thefool_wa]

4. :: more hugs :: n/t

[wildhorses]

5. just goes to show: you can't judge a book by its cover--

:hug: you know you are doing your best when your conscious bothers you and pushes you to forgive yourself:hug:


and :patriot: to all teachers everywhere


edited cos I posted a response to a TEACHER:wow:

[Control-Z]

6. Thanks wildhorses

I'm just feeling a little helpless right now.

I wish I had some profound answers for these students.

They are just amazing kids and deserve the world.

:cry:

(ps - TEACHERS are just people. Besides - I teach computer applications. Unless you’re typing script, no editing is required.)

[skygazer]

7. Sometimes a "troublemaker's" reality is nearly as grim

Sometimes a troublemaker is a kid whose life sucks so bad that getting in trouble at school is the least of their worries. I know that was my case.

I also know it's not a teacher's job to be a psychoanalyst and that you can't teach the kids who want to learn if you're spending all your time dealing with the one who doesn't. But I find it all sad - the sick and the lost and the ones who fall through all the cracks.

[Control-Z]

8. Thanks for the reminder

I forget sometimes why I am feeling so at odds with my job and the things happening around me. But I know all that and I take it all to heart if only on a subconscious level at times.

You are so right and it is sad - the sick and the lost and the ones who fall through all the cracks.

And I hate "sad".

[Haole Girl]

9. That's really sad

:cry:

[Control-Z]

10. It is

My students are making websites in class. One of the girls mentioned being upset with all the brest cancer ads - how they never address children. She wanted to make her website about that - in some way. I don't even know how to direct her. If someone knows of a site I can hook her up with for ideas, maybe? My initial thoughts were to have her write about it but possibly that's too heavy for a kid. I'm at a loss.