I kept thinking about this letter after I read it because of an incident
at school this week. Let me preface this first by saying I do also
believe that you have to show kids you are passionate about your subject
and do care about them as individuals but ...........
be prepared to get a sort of a slap in the face of reality once in a
while. Meaning that all kids don't respond to our kindness, which I'm
sure is nothing new to many of you.
I have a young lady that I see everyday for 20 minutes in our advisory
/advisee groups ( plus often see her in the halls). I knew she need
more than the most of the others in the group(13) in as far as
attention, feeling confident, and feeling needed. I've given her
special jobs and responsibilities this year that she thrived on and more
attention( listening) . I really wanted her to succeed this year. I knew
things at home weren't the best. We've gotten along very well this
year , where as I've heard she drives others nuts.
But my slap in the face came last week when she stole some things from
me while I was absent one day last week and the sub never caught it.
When I confronted her she said she would never do anything like that to
me, but her lies only got deeper as the situation was investigated. I'
m so disappointed and would wish she would at least admit stealing. (
There is no doubt she was responsible for it) . This wont stop me from
caring , but it makes me stop and think of the reality. The best of our
intentions can become undone.
MaryB
ARTISOK@aol.com wrote:
> Listening to your students DOES pay off- I attended a seminar in
> Seattle
> recently- It was a program educating us about how to "educate" others
> of the
> importance of a comprehensive arts program..(wirthout much preaching,
> soapboxing,,,no one will listen) Well, we always talked about
> nurturing
> pedagogy and what it meant to us- A quote from one of the readings
> sticks
> with me everyday- "THEY WON'T CARE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL YOU SHOW
> THEM HOW
> MUCH YOU CARE"
