The Senior Headache
I love the fact that I get the experience of being a full
time teacher this year. I just don’t like not having money. The students missed
me when I came back and gave me hugs; It made me cry (serious, the ugly cry). I
felt I was not just a student teacher, as a friend had to remind me, I was
really making a difference. The teachers at the school I am at are really good
teacher to get to know. They all want to teach you a lot and welcome you to
drop in. The school has a collaborative environment and it show with their
students work. I am really happy I got
two CT’s, they gives me lots of feedback and talks to me a lot about things I
can do. Yes there are downsides but I ‘m choosing the positive.
The start of a new semester with new students brings new challenges.
The students are getting use to me and enjoy my company. I have yet to gain the
trust with a few but progress is being made. I have never worked with seniors
until this semester. All the senior classes I have are students who are
non-college bond and definitely not easy to motivate. I am told that I am going
to learn this semester, if anything, that some will not succeed and graduate. I
want to believe that even though they are seniors, I can still get through to
them. I find sometimes to be in the same potion as them. I am a senior,
stressed over money, and needing to get a lot of things done in order to
graduate. Being a senior is hard not
easy. I find it hard for me to tell them you’re almost there when I myself need
that motivation. That’s what I say though. I tell them push through because I
am there with them and I need their motivation. I usually end with we can do it
together and they smile; however, next day same problem. I need advice with the
senior class Melissa Kelly says” Have the entire Senior class work on a project that culminates near the
end of the year.” I am not convinced that this will work. Anything is worth
trying but I think the students will see it as busy work. Kelly additionally
says, “Go back to grade school.” She believes they are scared and will get a
sense of security doing the things they know from grade school like cutting
out, circle time, and art work. I read children’s books for 1oth grade so I can
try seniors. Help me!
Source:
I am having a similar problem! I have some seniors that are on track and turn everything in on time, however I have one hour where only 3 students are passing which is super frustrating. I gave a little "soap box" speech where I encouraged them to work hard and turn all work in, even if it's late. I also reminded them that I, too, am a senior and that this is my hardest semester yet and the one where I have to be the most focused. I also told them that when they say they are ready to be done and don't want to do any work that I am going to be completely done with school at the end of this semester and I am even more ready to be done. I try to sympathize with them but told them we need to finish strong together. I hope that it helps. I told them this on Friday and I wont see them again til tomorrow. I don't know if it will work at all but hopefully it will reach a few of them. Part of the problem with my class is that the majority of them are not enjoying the book we're reading currently and because they are unmotivated to begin with, they simply don't do the work or don't come to class. And of course, sickness isn't helping anyting at all. I hope some of this helps you and if you ever need a pep talk or venting session, come see me!
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