The ninth graders are complicated on many levels. There is the fact that they are still immature, being only 14 or 15, and have the attention spans and energy levels of children rather than young adults in many cases. It is my largest class. It is last period, when their patience for sitting still to do work has worn thin. Some are new to the school; many more are new to high school and the whole process of changing classes and contending with multiple teachers, each with her/his own expectations. I keep my audience in mind when teaching them! :)
I always remind myself that my students--for all that so many try to appear the stereotypical, scary "gangsta"--are each human beings at the end of the day. They didn't ask for their disabilities; they didn't ask for the neglectful and abusive backgrounds that have given them more life experience than I have, pushing 30. I try to remember that. They constantly surprise me, and I love that: students who turn themselves around completely or have surprising interests and talents or who simply want such human things ... one kid asked me to bring him some flowers from my garden. I did, and he was thrilled.
The ironic thing, to me, is watching my teacher and TA coworkers, how they complain about how boring training is or how they balk at any assignments given by the administration without remembering that this is how our kids feel every day. I try to remember that, for many of them, coming to class and reading a story is a huge accomplishment ... and coming to class may actually be the accomplishment! :) It can be difficult because I think every teacher wants her students to fall in love with her subject matter, but I've found in just my short time there that being caring and kind opens them to that possibility.
Sorry for the wee special-ed ramble there. :) Needless to say, I wholeheartedly agree with K's teacher--it sounds like she's a good one! :)
no subject
I always remind myself that my students--for all that so many try to appear the stereotypical, scary "gangsta"--are each human beings at the end of the day. They didn't ask for their disabilities; they didn't ask for the neglectful and abusive backgrounds that have given them more life experience than I have, pushing 30. I try to remember that. They constantly surprise me, and I love that: students who turn themselves around completely or have surprising interests and talents or who simply want such human things ... one kid asked me to bring him some flowers from my garden. I did, and he was thrilled.
The ironic thing, to me, is watching my teacher and TA coworkers, how they complain about how boring training is or how they balk at any assignments given by the administration without remembering that this is how our kids feel every day. I try to remember that, for many of them, coming to class and reading a story is a huge accomplishment ... and coming to class may actually be the accomplishment! :) It can be difficult because I think every teacher wants her students to fall in love with her subject matter, but I've found in just my short time there that being caring and kind opens them to that possibility.
Sorry for the wee special-ed ramble there. :) Needless to say, I wholeheartedly agree with K's teacher--it sounds like she's a good one! :)