One of my freshmen world history students comes into class everyday with a frown/scowl on her face, sits down at her desk, never takes off her backpack, and typically has a phone or iPod out rather than a piece of paper and pencil. I basically have to prod her every step of the way to get her engaged with the class...and even that seems to prove useless at points.
Anyway, my first conversation with her was outside of the library when the students were supposed to be picking out a book for a book report. I asked her why she wasn't actually in the library getting a book for this assignment and she replied, "I don't read, Miss. I just don't like it." To which I reminded her that this was a required assignment. To which she shrugged.
Awkward...so I just struck up some small talk and found out that she likes to write. She couldn't tell me much about her hobby with confidence but I still tried to encourage her in it. That conversation ended with her asking me if I had a quarter for the bus, which I did so I gave it to her. And then the bell rang and I starting wondering how or if I could get through to her (she did say thank you).
I think one of the hard things for her is that none of her friends are in this class with her, on top of not being very confident in academics. Over the first few weeks I tried to make her one of my priority students, just by talking to her a little more and getting to know her. Most of the time it was like talking to a brick wall. I tried to make some lame jokes and usually got that "Oh, she thinks she's actually funny" look. But I kept humiliating myself hoping something would come out of it.
So the day comes that outlines are due for the five-paragraph essay book report and she's not in class. However, the next day she walked into the classroom before the bell and came straight to me with her hand-written outline on a torn piece of composition notebook paper.
CLOUD FREAKING NINE. That's where I was. I could have hugged her, but for the sake of her embarrassment I calmed myself and settled for a fist pound.
She actually GOT the prompt and went beyond summarizing the book! And she READ a BOOK! And she picked DEEP, HIGHER LEVEL THINKING ideas of the book to explore! And I didn't even have to REMIND her to turn it in!
So there you have it, girl teachers (and boy teachers, for that matter). Even though your efforts seem completely futile with those particular students in class, just keep doing your thing. If you're fortunate enough to see results, you'll feel your existence validated. It may take weeks, months, or years to see the impact--and let's be honest, you may never see it--but something is resonating with the student. If nothing else, you are that one minuscule positive element in their day that keeps them from slipping off the edge.
Namaste.
Kins
PS: A requirement for future love interests...must follow and memorize this blog.
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