WK4- Response #1- Aimee Holcombe

Aimee wrote:

For as long as I live, I will never forget a student I had my second year of teaching, Stanley. He was a tall and stout 8th grader from a very rough gang background that had little to no home support, and he seemingly cared nothing about school as he would sleep as often as possible. Some other teachers hated having him in class and would even celebrate the days where he was in ISS/ OSS. But-- he never acted out with me! In fact, he would participate in discussions and sometimes even complete his classwork. We had a deal that when he would get angry and felt like he was about to get into a fight or say something back, he was to get up, leave the room, and walk slowly to the furthest water fountain, then come right back! He liked this plan and always followed it without problems. One day, about half way through the year, we had a writing assignment on ‘What is a life lesson you have learned?’ After his usual staring off into space, he actually picked up the pen and began feverishly writing. I decided to let students share their work aloud, and to my and the rest of the class’ surprise- Stanley was the first to volunteer! As he shared passionately to his classmates about his lesson in choosing the right friends and removing yourself from bad situations, both mine and his eyes were filled with tears. Prior to school that year, he had seen his best friend shot to death by their so called friends in the gang, he then got on the phone and found his mother a job in our county where they moved away. He taught his classmates more in that 10 minutes of sharing his story, than I could in a year! Afterwards during class change, he thanked me for giving him the opportunity to share. He said that other teachers don’t even act like he is there except to yell at him, and that he felt like I would let him speak his heart.

I believe as teachers, we should be believers and empowers first and foremost! Many of our students have never had anyone empower them before, why would we seek to continue the trend.

I wrote:

Aimee,

I really liked your story about Stanley. In my first two years working where I work now, I had a number of student transfers from other teachers who did NOT get along with these students. Of course, I took the challenge with open arms, because a good teacher can get through to any kid...to SOME degree. The other teachers would say that he needed a male influence, which is totally understandable, but really every time I would get these students, I wouldn't have a problem with them...at all. I give every student, no matter what I already know about them, a square one type of respect that fosters a natural sense of respect in them towards you, the teacher. SO, i completely agree with your last few sentences. I NEVER have a problem helping out my coworkers, but deep down inside, I always felt they failed, and they let tehr emotions and personal misery in their own job, life...or whatever get the better of them. I'm glad I'm not there yet in my career and it's my personal goal to NEVER be there.