Kids that I find it easy to like are ones who are always working hard. If they struggle, and are not successful I will still totally appreciate their efforts. Hard work pays off in the long run.
Kids that I find hard to like are ones who are spoiled and do not work hard. I think hard work builds character, and if students or children are always handed everything then they do not have a appreciation and respect for life.
Kids that I am sorry for are ones who do not have support at home. I grew up having parents who are constantly involved in everything I do. Support from family members is important in the development of children. Not having support is something I could not fathom, it would be hard be successful when there is no support at home.
The kids that I feel threatened by are the students who just dont care. I feel threatened because I am scared that I will not be able to keep them under control which will then effect the rest of the students. Im thinking, what if I can't connect to them, or talking to their parents doesnt work, and I dont want to just send them to the office. There are so many what if's with students who I will have problems with.
Kids that I identify with are the athletes. I feel comfortable with athletes because I have been down that road, been busy, hard time juggling all the events and school. I respect them if they are able to juggle it all and be successful. It is important for students to be involved in extracurricular activities for many reasons.
Kids I gravitate towards are ones who want help. They may be successful or struggling but if they want me to be there and want help, then I would love to be there.
Kids I feel inadequate around are the students who are very smart. Maybe they know everything I have to offer, what if they could teach the class. There may be students who are very far beyond the class, how do i keep them engaged and with the class.
Kids who I probably dont even notice are the ones who hide. My supervising teacher mentioned to watch for those kids who are good at hiding. They will not speak, keep their faces hidden, and are good at it. I want to be able to have everyone participating.
I too appreciate those students who really put out the extra effort. It is difficult when they don't succeed after putting their all into it, and I often want to give them a break. Important to figure out how to be equitable to all students though. On the flip side, apathy is quite the challenge, as you note here. It can be quite frustrating working with those students who just won't do the effort. We can't give up on them as teachers, and need to communicate we still will strive for their success, but that isn't always so easy.
ReplyDeleteI understand how you might feel inadequate around the students that are very smart, with how they might know what you know or just be out too far ahead of the rest of the class. I share that anxiety as well as the fear about the students that are too far behind the class as well.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your value of effort and, on the other side of the coin, the worry about apathy. I worry about the students that are apathetic. If they don't care how do you change that?