Today passed away as one of the not-so-positive days of my teaching career. My classes were average, with a little more than 70% of students on task at any given time. My sixth period has been learning about manufacturing through two different projects. One is to create a metal pencil box and another is to turn a wooden pen on a lathe. My normal superstars are all over the projects, done with the model I require them to make of the metal box and making their pens. The handful of students (there is ALWAYS just a handful) who are left pass the period away by pretending to work and not really getting anything done.
Sadly, today, I just lost it. One particular student did everything in his power to avoid doing what I had asked him to do. He wondered around the room, gave the good 'ole excuse "I don't have a pencil," claimed he already had done it and somebody else lost it, you name it, he came up with the excuse. I tried my best to answer his various excuses, and get him to work. After about the third or fourth time, I blew up. All of my frustrations with his horrible attitude came storming out. At one point he said simply "Mr. Twining, I'm right here, you don't have to yell at me." And he was right. And my balloon popped.
I tried my best to get him on task, and took a personal time out (by just going to focus on some other students in the class). After I composed myself, I apologized to the student for yelling at him and reiterated my belief that he could do this project, and do it well. I helped to outline a plan for him to get caught up with the class and gave him materials to take home to work on the project at home.
So I think the point of today's post is I had an 'ah-ha' moment when being frustrated with one of my students. I realized that sometimes we just have all of this frustration built up inside of us because of the stooges among our students who are constantly off task and then suddenly it just blows up. We need to take a step back and realize the world is not going to end. Channel our frustrations into energy we can use to redirect and help these students become engaged in the great work we have for them- gaining an education.
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What you experienced today reminded me of a statement that I have heard so many times..."It is so much easier to act like a Christian than REACT like one!"
ReplyDeleteI think that you becoming so frustrated is partly due to the fact that you are such a dedicated teacher and caring person. Otherwise, you would simply be going through the motions just to be done with that student and the quarter.
I really admire how you were willing to apologize to the student for your reaction to the situation. Growing up, my parents always apologized if they felt they lost their temper or overreacted. It made me feel important and trust them even more. I am sure your handling of this situation had a similar affect on your student.
The first thought that came to my mind (for better or for worse) was that you should get a poster that says "Excuse Limit 0" and point to it when students start to list out the number of excuses for why they feel they can not follow through on expectations. It has saved a lot of "battles" in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteYou know Mrs. Hall, you're right. I am SO TIRED of excuses. Know where I can get one of those signs? I know Mrs. Blake has one, and I also thought it looked kind of cool.
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