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Published: December 9th 2006
So today wasn't the greatest day.
After lunch my kids were supposed to have music class. Apparently the music teacher was not there today, so one of the counsellors (who is actually only about 20 years old) gave my kids a worksheet to colour and then took off and left them unattended. I had NO idea any of this was happening. I came back to my class for the 2nd last period of the day, to find half of them missing, half of them running around the class, and one crying because someone else kicked them.
I was in the middle of giving a lecture about respect when one student started talking to their neighbour and another was trying to tell me something without raising her hand (WHILE I WAS TALKING!). I then caught 2 students chewing gum. I just lost it. I wasn't sure what to do anymore. I spend FAR too much time telling my kids to be quiet.
I told them to get out some work and to start doing it. I then went to find Cesar and tell him how displeased I was. I ended up breaking down in his office, telling him that I have never had to deal with such a challenging set of children in my life. I am usually quite good with these situations. Afterall, I've been working with kids since I was old enough to not be considered one myself. It really makes you second guess your abilities when you have a group that is so out of control.
I went back to my class, only to find their social studies teacher (a Honduran woman) telling the kids (according to my kids, as I didn't understand) that they had no heart and were far worse than the other grade 3 class in terms of behaviour.
My kids saw that I had been crying and they were all bawling. Cesar came in to give them a talk for 5 minutes about respect for each other... mostly about not kicking and hurting each other, which was only one of 50 points I felt the need to bring up with my kids.
I had the students then all answer 3 questions that I wrote on the board; What happened today? Why did it happen? What can we do to fix this? They all felt horrible. We had a talk then for about 20 minutes about how I was feeling and how they were feeling.
They told me that it really bothers them that ALL of their spanish teachers tell them that Mr. Chris' class is way more behaved than they are. This made a lot of them cry even harder. I told them that I would never trade them for Mr. Chris' class. That's Mr. Chris' class. This is Miss Sarah's class.
I reminded them of the fact that many people around them don't have the money to even go to school and that they don't realize how truly lucky they are to be in the school learning. I told them how sad it made me to see them treat each other so poorly. Our classroom is a family. We don't treat our family like that. I told them how much I love each and every one of them and that I know that they can be doctors, and lawyers, and husbands and wives, and parents. These kids have so much potential that they are wasting on silly things.
Maybe I should stop teaching science and math, then start teaching life skills instead.
I don't think this behaviour can last all year. I won't let it. Monday afternoon Cesar is calling a meeting with all the parents of my students so we can discuss all this with them. I really need support from the parents and don't seem to get it as much as I would like. I guess it's hard when they speak a different language.
I do love my kids. I just wish they'd apply themselves more to school. Here's hoping next week is better.
Tomorrow should be nice for me. I'm going with Walter to his school again, then watching a ballet recital that Leah is actually dancing in, as well as a bunch of my students, and then the EBH staff Christmas party, which is apparently quite formal. Walter's my date to all of this. Looks like we'll be spending the WHOLE day together tomorrow. I'm excited.
Walter's been so stressed out with work lately. I hate seeing him like that. He works far too often for far too many hours. He thanked me today for always stopping in at his work to visit him twice a day (it's on my way between school and my home) and said that he needs to see me to remind him of something good in his life. He says all his friends only think of parties and always ask him why he is not going to parties with them. He thanked me for helping. I didn't know that I had.
Anyways, today has been quite the day. It's 8pm and I feel tired enough for bed. Had a nice chat with Stells tonight too. I miss that girl. Shitty days remind you of how nice it would be to have those who know you best there to give you a hug, let you cry, and just sit with you while you do because no words are needed. They simply understand. Realizing how much I miss you all.
I truly am blessed with everything that I have been given in my life. Amazing how much perspective you can recieve while being somewhere so far from home.
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Ian
non-member comment
Sorry to hear about your day
Hey Cuz, I have been reading your blogs everytime I get them. I knew your kids were a little out of hand but I didn't think it was this bad... Sorry to hear about it... Hopefully next week will be better... You'll be in my thoughts and prayers... Sorry I don't post more often... :( Talk to you later, Your most favoritest cousin :P