No Trouble with Troubled Students

Last week I ran into a little trouble with posting on my blog. To be more specific, I could not log in and can’t seem to figure out why my password will not work on my blog or my g-mail account. It has been worked out though and I am glad I can share again.

As this semester comes to a close I am sure we are all thinking the same thing, “Am I going to find a job?” It’s never easy thinking about it, but it’s what we have worked so hard for. By the time some of you read this we will all know the results of our KPTP. I am certain that we will all come through with passing scores and this will really settle things. Now if we can only find that job. I know that a couple have been hired already, but it has me thinking about the type of students we are willing to teach.

When I first started this journey I told myself I would only teach high school. I may still have that opportunity, although I feel I should consider middle school as well. I also find that I am not sure what my preference is for students. What I mean to say is, I enjoy teaching those honor students but I also enjoy helping the regular English students. My heart reaches out to those students that have a little harder time in the classroom.

As I thought about this, I began to reflect back on my time working as a tutor at the alternative high school. Many of those students were so proud of what they could accomplish. Some of them had never passed the states reading assessment. When they finally did, their smiles made me a better person. I realized I had made a difference with them. It is not always going to be that great because some are harder to reach and some will flat out refuse your help. I have had a few of those this year, but some of them came around as they got closer to graduation. This whole experience has led me to search for ideas on how to deal with difficult students. I actually started back when I was working as a co-op. While I had found many articles\ to read and discovered books on the subject, I realize that the advice given means nothing without a willing student.

I know that we all wish for the best students, but we all know this is wishful thinking. We will take the students given to us and do our best to teach them. We will also fail at this. What I ask is that we never give up. I know that it’s hard to imagine ourselves giving up, but it can happen to the best of us. Have faith in them for as long as you have them and only let go when they are no longer within physical reach. While the may move on to other teachers, you may still be the one person who can make a difference.

Below is an article I read that is about teacher Deb Graudins. The web site also has a lot more to offer if you have not already discovered it.

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev022.shtml