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Horrible day with my class today... they were climbing the walls - figuratively of course. I think I spent two out of six hours on academics.
I came home and hopped on my bike in the trainer and had a good session with Coach Troy and it never really occurred to me to find some evil snack food!
It's who they are, as a group, about a year behind in maturity. Academically, ten of them have huge holes because of the aforementioned lack of maturity. Whatever... I can only do so much. :D
Veronica
Yay V!! I understand what a triumph that is (or would be for me!).
Way to go!
I think my new "let go" attitude can be attributed to having had conferences last week and I can totally see why these kids are the way they are.
Veronica
It is very sad, a lot of inadequate parenting - mostly just that the kids aren't held accountable and I hold them accountable. And really, the apple does not fall far from the tree. I'm going to keep doing the best that I can, but I am NOT going to let it eat at me the way I have in the past. I swear, I'm not. :p
There are some bright spots - one kid asked me today, "Why do they pass notes? They're here to learn." Yeah, maybe he was sucking up. :D
Veronica
Most of my new career is teaching parents how to be parents. And usually, they can't do this because of trauma that they experienced as kids and they are continuing the pattern. Or, there's generations of unaddressed mental health issues, substance abuse, or alcoholism.
You are right to let it go. It's bigger than all of us. But, some of those kids will remember your efforts and appreciate them. During my last year of teaching I had 2 girls who were seniors in HS come back and visit me to say, "We were so horrible to you; hope you can forgive us."
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Originally Posted by Veronica
That is so true! It is so common to meet the parents and then think "no wonder........"
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Originally Posted by Crankin
So glad those two did- and there are probably many more who meant to......thought about you.....didn't get around to it yet...
From the opposite POV ... YES, and THANK YOU.
Recently I've been going deeper into some old stuff. While I'd been aware at least intellectually of a lot of anger toward the adults who were in a position to help me, and instead just sloughed me off as some academic prodigy whose emotions didn't matter, I've only just become aware of how much raw emotion I have toward the couple of times that a teacher DID acknowledge my pain.
I don't even remember their names to where I could thank them, 40+ years later. But I can thank you, V. and Crankin, and I'm so glad that you're learning to be able to do it at less personal cost to yourself.
Good observation, oak. Right now I am working with a 35 y/o mom who reported stuff to her school counselor when she was 12 and was totally dismissed. Now the mom is dealing with her own child's issues and it's very difficult.