In a message dated 12/27/01 1:24:33 AM Eastern Standard Time,
MSQU@atlantic.net writes:
> A couple of months ago I found myself thinking surely I didn't go to school
> for this. Last week I told my principal I would not be back to teach in
> 2002-3.
I had to smile when I read your email, because I could have surely written it
myself last year! (I was in middle school) If this is your first year
teaching in this type of environment, my advice would be to stick it out.
Everyone who worked with me told me that things would be better this year and
I didn't believe them. After all, what changed over the summer? Nothing, I
thought. However, when September came, it WAS better! I was better. The
kids were the same, but everything was better. It was like I had passed some
test of theirs or something. I was ready for anything, took nothing
personal, demanded respect and mostly got it. I stopped getting angry at
their antics &/or fights with each other . I enjoyed my students when I
could and consistently held to my consequences. I was calm and I had many
repeat students who were happy to have me as their teacher again.
Good luck to you, its a tough job! All they really want is attention.
Academically, they have nothing. You can make them feel good about their art
work. Encourage them, praise them, compliment them. (But don't be phoney.)
They need to excel at something.
Holly :0)
