Through the years I have had many students. Love them all, and have fond memories...even of those students who are now adults...making their way in the world.
With each new class comes unique individuals. 30 or so young minds ripe for expansion! Each and every kid IS an individual...IS unique.
Each school year has its own unique Tonal atmosphere also. The overall feeling I have for this class is different from every other class previous. I don't just mean my internal emotions about this class, or last year's class...I mean the very atmosphere in my classroom. The environment created by this year's class, compared to the atmosphere created by last year's class, and so on. All of this is awesome, and I am so thankful for the Newness of each year...I can't imagine how boring it would be for everything to be the same year in, and year out!
OK...all of that being said...I want to express a bit about groups. Yes...kids are individuals, but as a teacher I find that my students also unintentionally get categorized into groups. I don't mean a profiling kind of thing, or an ethnic thing...I just mean...a teacher/student thing.
Every year I find I get kids that can be trusted from day one! Kids who strive to make good choices. I also get kids who strayed from the path a bit...kids who may have a bit of Devil in them. I get kids who think better on the move, and kids who think better when all is quiet. I get kids who are used to solving disputes with their fists, and kids who are afraid of their own shadow. I get artistic kids, and creative kids, and kids that travel astrally to distant planets now and again. I get math haters, and master debaters (hahaha), and I get some kids who simply do not have a clue!
When I stated above that I get some kids who simply do not have a clue...I didn't mean they are less intelligent than any other kid, or that they are unaware of what is going on in my classroom. What I mean is that I get kids...every year...who have no idea that they are awesome! It has never occurred to them that they are worthy of anything. These kids have no idea what trust is, because they have never been trusted. These kids are so clueless about their potential that they keep themselves always on the outside. They don't allow themselves real interaction with anyone, nor do they ever expect appreciation for anything they do.
Every year I get a kid or two who is clueless in this way. With their nature comes some behavior issues, complacency, and an overall malaise when it comes to school.
These kids are absorbed into me...I love them instantly. My job isn't easy...I have to un-teach...and the kids have to un-learn. I must find a way to open that closed part of them so they can see...really see...who they are.
Teachers...I guess this kind of thing is instinctual. You don't really learn this stuff in college. You kind of have to feel it. If you are an intuitive educator...if you can feel it...keep the clueless kids close to your heart, and persevere. It takes baby steps, but once the process begins...once these kids start realizing that they ARE awesome...well, there is nothing better in the world.
Most everyone you will ever meet should have to earn your trust. This makes sense...it is logical, and it is safe. There are some people out their (Many of them kids) that have no clue how to earn it. Go out on a limb...trust them anyway. Give them something they haven't got. Give these kids a reason to BE trustworthy. Watch what they do...most will fly high! In my career I have found that...this can make all of the difference to a kid, and it will create a cherished memory for you. Think about it!
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