Mark recorded an on-the-fly interview with one of my 9th graders on one of the few days that he’s been on campus. To say that he’s been someone I’ve struggled to connect with is an understatement. I really appreciate Mark’s prodding and the student’s candid reflections. However, even as he notes his self-defeating actions, I question where we (Mark, myself, his other teachers past and present) could have done better. What are the structures in place and the policies enforced that made it possible — easy even — for this student to choose to slip by?
I am always amazed and how accurately self-reflective students can be – how do we turn that ability to consider their actions after the fact and project them into the future so as to make different choices in the present? I always wonder why selling them on the idea of a fresh start or a new chance seems like such a hard concept – so revealing, thanks for sharing this.
“Dime con quien andas, y te dire quien eres” – a Spanish saying that should be posted on classroom walls (if the shoe fits). The US school system is set up to make accommodations for all students; sometimes as teachers accommodating becomes fused with enabling. Many times for the sake of connecting with students we allow extra credit, make-up assignments, excused tardiness, etc. We want our students’ self esteem to flourish so we accommodate……
Tough love mixed with high expectations is a bit challenging when teachers are the only individuals trying to connect with the students…Here is my cliche, parents are the culprit for their child’s self-defeating actions. Structures and policies must include parents/guardians…..
For now, as teachers we must just keep trying to connect with students…and if we connect with a handful, we are making a difference….right?!?
Being Gladwell fans I think we r approaching a kind of tipping point. What do I mean by this? A week or so ago I released the first episode of Public School Exposé to begin a much needed alternative PR of sorts for public education. After double digit RIFs in the English Dept at my school site, I could stay quiet no more. If interested check The Smaller Screen on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/mgalin1#grid/user/2359477054CE7D95
I plan to feature this vid in Episode II of Public School Exposé soon. Hope it helps it go viral. I don’t know, but I think this issue is at least as important as porn, babies, and cats.
Thx for the post Mr. Garcia