"Gotta Keep My Cool"

Okay, so this week I was not sure if I was going to share this with all of you. I could not believe that I had this encounter with one of my students. Now, I already know that they do not wait to be there, but I try my best to provide engaging activities related to reading so they will focus. I created “do nows”, morning class assignments, that allow them to self-reflect and critically think. I was not prepared for the wind that would blow in my class that morning.

As my students walked into my class and it was business as usual, attendance, do nows, and an update on what was going on in our lives. I had some new students in my class, so as usual I walked around while they completed their do nows to read their assignments and in an effort to learn their names. What I did not know is that a student would curse me out. I was every name in the book instead of Ms.Knox. I was in shock. I never had this happen to me. I wasn’t sure how I should respond. All I could think of is that if I allowed him to get away with this type of behavior my other students would like that it was okay and be sure to try it. I had to write that young man up on a referral.
As an educator, I want to provide a peaceful and learning conducive environment. That type of behavior was just unacceptable. I really had to keep my cool. Some of my students know that I grew up in the same impoverished neighborhoods they live in now. In their words, “I m hood” or “ghetto”. Despite their terminology, it is a connecting piece and a point of reference for us. They know I could have gone there with that student. However, I decided that it was not the place to do. I had handle the situation in a professional manner and be an example for my students in the area of conflict resolution.  It was important for me to show my students that sometimes you have to “eat humble pie”, but be assertive at the same time. After all was said and done, my other students were just as confused as I was. They could not believe that their classmate was completely disrespectful. I took it as another lesson learned. In every moment, I advantage of the lesson.

Does What I Want Matter?

I came in early to prepare my lesson for the day. The objective for the day was to be able to distinguish between problem/solution, cause and effect, compare and contrast, sequence, and descriptive text structures.  I was excited to show my students that we use these text structures in our everyday conversation. However, my students informed me that education was not important and that they did not feel the need to do things that would not benefit them in the future. Immediately I needed to get to the root of these comments. The objective was now changed, and my students were now the teachers. This was definitely an opportunity to understand their world and logic.
I asked the questions and the provided the answers. At the conclusion of class, I found out the following:

*Students feels like reading, math, science and history are the only subjects needed
* The FCAT is unnecessary
* They would prefer to have life skills and vocational courses offered in school
* Teachers do not really teach, they just want them to be robots

After listening to them, I realized that I do agree with them. As teachers we should be concerned about not only teaching the subject matter, but helping them prepare for the real world. We need to consider how we keep our students interested in school. I agreed that providing more vocational track programs would be beneficial for my students, especially African American at risk males. All students will not go to a four-year university. Some kids will need a vocational certificate. If we could offer some of those courses while in high school, I believe that the students will be more successful and the dropout rate and low graduation rate will decrease. They wanted programs like construction, welding, air conditioning and heat, and plumbing. It is my duty to share the information and concerns of my students with the school district.  

If He Was A Fly on The Wall

As I walked into the classroom as a substitute teacher, I was quickly faced with the reality that my students were not doing to do any work today. After providing them with instructions for their assignments, I was told “we don’t do work when he here”, “this man trying us”, “he not even going to grade this work, so I m not doing it”, and “all we do is watch movies”. I was in complete shock. I could not believe that these students were refusing to do work.

I began to question the learning instructions provided on a weekly bases from this particular teacher. I also wondered what type of structure he had developed for them and what kind of classroom management skills he had. I asked myself the questions “are these kids telling the truth?”, but as the day went on I heard the same thing from four different class periods. In considering the comments from the students, I began to really think about the structure and culture that teachers create in the classroom. No matter if they are there or not, their students should always want to learn. What students do when the permanent teacher is there is the same thing they will do when a substitute is there.

If he was a fly on the wall, I sure his students comments and actions would have been like bug spray being sprayed. I sure he would have been offended by what was being said about him. As educators we have to be mindful of our actions and be consistent in promoting learning. This experience just confirmed the need for teachers to set a pace for their students and expectations.  In every moment, I challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone and to make an effort to close the educational opportunity gaps in your own school district.

Salutations

Greetings To All,

As I invite to share in my experiences with me, I also invite you to share with me. I am not claiming to have all of the answers, however my educational background, experiences and travels give me a little leverage to speak on the impacts that affect education in urban areas. We all have unique experiences that have shaped our beliefs, morals,  values and view on life.  In every moment, I challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone and to make an effort to close the educational opportunity gaps in your own school district.