Not being a classroom teacher, the piece I took from this was how you framed a)the importance of having boundaries in helping professions (heard that before) but also b) staying curious about the edge around the boundaries and seeing if you personally have more to give at a certain moment, if you can direct it to an issue/problem/concern that’s thorny. So drawing a boundary but keeping a little spark of curiosity or hope about what’s on the other side. Cool podcast format, I’d listen to more!
I think you did right. You're right, you don't know what's going on in the kid's home, what he lives with. I hope he slowly comes around, that you become a pillar of sorts for him, even if you don't know that you are. A colleague of mine, Bill Harley, was working with kids in a school and there was one kid who woudl not participate, but sat at the back and didn't put anything in. At the end of Bill's residency he invited kids up who wanted to share the stories they had created. IBill and I are storytellers and like a lot of our odd little profession, we work a lot in schools.) The kid who Bill thought was asleep mentally wanted to share his story which surprised everyone. He got up and told a story about this kid fighting a dragon, saving a prince or king, I cannot remember that well. It turned out this was the first time the kid had spoken since he had lost his dad to cancer. You don't know what people are going through, what demons are banging around in their heads, or if they might be secretly listening, waiting for a time when they feel safe enough to stand up.
Prior to my third year teaching, we had an in-service speaker who told us that at that time 12% of the students were not going to be successful in getting through high school, so we should concentrate on the 88% who were. That concept stuck with me, but while I was aware there were some students I could never reach, I felt more satisfaction in teaching those who were on the edges rather than the ones who were college bound. Teaching literature, which many students thought was irrelevant to start with, was made transformative for me also when I saw the light come on in a student‘s eyes as we discussed Sinclair Lewis or Ernest Hemingway or Emily Dickinson. That is why I appreciate your stories of glow and grow while teaching in a difficult place.
Hey! Just wanted to let you know Im doing my masters in teaching (in Australian) and your blog is great inspiration. Im looking forward to getting in to the classroom in a year or two but loving your classroom insights in the meantime. Thanks!
Not being a classroom teacher, the piece I took from this was how you framed a)the importance of having boundaries in helping professions (heard that before) but also b) staying curious about the edge around the boundaries and seeing if you personally have more to give at a certain moment, if you can direct it to an issue/problem/concern that’s thorny. So drawing a boundary but keeping a little spark of curiosity or hope about what’s on the other side. Cool podcast format, I’d listen to more!
Thanks Meredith! I plan on doing around 1-2 a week. Keeps me sharp, and I'm finding plenty of people are enjoying the format. Appreciate the feedback.
I am pulling for grey hoodie guy! I might be wrong, but I see friendly good humor helping—“Me again, you know what I mean!”
Persistence is helpful. We'll see where it gets me.
Give them the God given right to self-determine. Excellent movie to watch where James Cagney empowers unruly boys in a reformatory: The Mayor of Hell.
In an academic situation, discovery learning or project-based learning (PBL) is the best
natural and empowering way to both teach and allow students their natural drive to investigate, try, and learn.
Kudos to you for the work and good you do.
Really appreciate it Peggy! Also, huge fan of project based learning.
I think you did right. You're right, you don't know what's going on in the kid's home, what he lives with. I hope he slowly comes around, that you become a pillar of sorts for him, even if you don't know that you are. A colleague of mine, Bill Harley, was working with kids in a school and there was one kid who woudl not participate, but sat at the back and didn't put anything in. At the end of Bill's residency he invited kids up who wanted to share the stories they had created. IBill and I are storytellers and like a lot of our odd little profession, we work a lot in schools.) The kid who Bill thought was asleep mentally wanted to share his story which surprised everyone. He got up and told a story about this kid fighting a dragon, saving a prince or king, I cannot remember that well. It turned out this was the first time the kid had spoken since he had lost his dad to cancer. You don't know what people are going through, what demons are banging around in their heads, or if they might be secretly listening, waiting for a time when they feel safe enough to stand up.
I'll do what I can to keep the place welcoming to him.
Brilliant
Prior to my third year teaching, we had an in-service speaker who told us that at that time 12% of the students were not going to be successful in getting through high school, so we should concentrate on the 88% who were. That concept stuck with me, but while I was aware there were some students I could never reach, I felt more satisfaction in teaching those who were on the edges rather than the ones who were college bound. Teaching literature, which many students thought was irrelevant to start with, was made transformative for me also when I saw the light come on in a student‘s eyes as we discussed Sinclair Lewis or Ernest Hemingway or Emily Dickinson. That is why I appreciate your stories of glow and grow while teaching in a difficult place.
Appreicate it. And thank you for your service, teaching the good stuff. I often think about The Old Man and the Sea.
Hey! Just wanted to let you know Im doing my masters in teaching (in Australian) and your blog is great inspiration. Im looking forward to getting in to the classroom in a year or two but loving your classroom insights in the meantime. Thanks!
Beth, appreciate it! And all the luck in the world, it is by far the best profession...and also the worst! Enjoy all of it.