when I'm a teacher...

[marathoner452]

When I am a teacher the words "can't," "hate," and "stupid" will not be allowed in my classroom. 

More to come when I get back from my long run.

EDIT:   More to come when the internet at my house decides to start working and I have more than 1/2 an hour at the library to get online.

EDIT 2:  Stupid backspace deleted my whole entry grumble grumble.

EDIT 3:  I accepted a 3 day subbing job in 2nd grade at a challenging school.  There was a boy in the class who was particularly challenging to work with-talking back to me, not doing his work, etc.  On the second day he was acting out to the point that I sent him over to the teacher in the classroom next to mine, where she talked to him, took away his recess, all that good stuff.  He was very upset when he came back.  His classroom teacher had three fishbowls with popsicle sticks in them-if you messed up then you had to move a stick to yellow, then to red.   He wanted  to move his popsicle stick to red for the next day, and I wouldn't let him, telling him that tomorrow would be a new day.  He also said that he was stupid and he would never be able to do his work.  I told he was not allowed to say that, that I would help him if he was willing to try again.

Wouldn't you know, he did a much better job the next day.  Now that may have also been because another student that antagonized him was absent, but I'd like to think that it was also because I showed that I believed in him.  If I can make a difference in just 3 days, then imagine what I can do with my own classroom.

 

Comments

[illistratingme.livejournal.com]

I think that is awesome! I think more teachers need to start doing that again. Oh and hope your long run went well!

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to do that already-say we're working independently on a worksheet and I see a student really struggling. Oftentimes they're the ones who're acting out, too. I tell them they're not stupid and that they need to stop saying that because it's self-defeating. Then I show them how they're not stupid by helping them with their worksheet-usually they're just frustrated because it takes them longer to catch on and they need a little one-on-one attention.

The long run went well, thanks for asking. I knew the NCR Trail would be jam-packed today so I went up to Hanover Junction, PA. Beautiful. Much less crowded and with real bathrooms.

[cookiesr1.livejournal.com]

You went up to PA? Where's that?

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

Hanover Junction's about 10 miles south of York.

[illistratingme.livejournal.com]

Good deal, I am going to start looking for running clubs in Portland, hopefully I can find something there. I can't wait for June to come! Soon I will be moving to Portland and a new start for me!

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

Given Pre's legacy, I wouldn't think you'd have any problems finding a running club out there.

[cookiesr1.livejournal.com]

Have a good run...are you training for something?

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

A bunch of 5ks. I'm mostly doing speedwork these days, but the marathoner in me still prefers long runs.

[cookiesr1.livejournal.com]

That's cool, I haven't actually run in a long time now...