Ok, so I'm having issues. Who isn't, right? Ha.
I have numerous students that have behavioral issues. But I'm slowly uncovering unfortunate facts about their lives that are having extreme effects on these kids. One of my students approached the principal and expressed suicidal thoughts over feeling like everyone hates him. Now, if you saw this kid in the classroom, you would probably label him as a bully. He is always calling out and picking on other students. He wants everyone to hear his comments, and gets really frustrated when he is reprimanded. From this behavior, I would have never thought that he would be feeling so distressed inside. He writes inappropriate stories and tells the "goth" kids to kill themselves.
Aother student has completely stopped coming to school because he is "very sick". Well, we found out that he has actually stopped showing up because he is being picked on by other students. He came to the school district after being home schooled, so he is still learning how to act in a school setting. In a way, his actions make him a target (He created a Hitler mustache out of a post-it and wore it on his face for an entire day). I'm not saying that this is any reason to pickon him, but middle school kids are at an age when they feel the need to point out anything that seems strange.
I'm genuinely worried about these students. I know that, especially as a student teacher, it is not my place to do or say anythng. But the school is not doing anything about these problems. I understand that we have a lot of students that are dealing with issues like these, or much worse. But it's hard knowing these stories and feeling so powerlessnin the situation. I realize that there is nothing for me to do in this situation, and I think that is what is eating me so much.
It's one of those situations when I have to sit back and say nothing. I feel like I am just allowing the problem to persist.
Anybody else dealing with this?
I'm not dealing with any of these issues, but is there really nothing we can do as teachers (although i understand we are just student teachers, I'll just say it for the sake of when we are teachers). I find that hard to believe. What did the Principal do when the student expressed the suicidal thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI was really moved by that video we watched about caring for our students. Are we there to teach our subject or give more of a holistic education? I would rather not teach than be there only to teach them English when they are such a vital development stage in their lives. Can't we find a way to be a friend to our students while being their teacher and while still demanding respect and whatever kind of discipline you as the teacher is asking for? I want my teaching to be more care giving than teaching.
I wonder what the guidance counselors can/would do about these issues.
What does your co-op think about this stuff, Nicole?
My co-op is irritated because even the guidance counselor feels that there is nothing else that they can do. The counselor suggested a half-day at school and the rest of the day in therapy, but the student's parents didn't go for it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you get me on this one because I just keep thinking, "Really? There's NOTHING that can be done?" It's so frustrating..
Ironically, I just encountered some of this on Tuesday. I was learning a bit about the home lives of my students-the one had a death in the family a few weeks ago and hasn't turned in any work since then. Another lives in a single room with his sister and brother and their mom is not around very much. This student has an F in our class and has been identified as not going to make it. The father of another student died in a car accident a few weeks ago and you would never even know that anything had happened.
ReplyDeleteMy co op had the students fill out an info sheet at the beginning of the year and I took a look at the info sheet of the student with the F. I noticed that he also plays the drums. This student is usually cooperative so behavior isn't really an issue, but the issue lies in not doing his work. Now that I know I can potentially relate to him I wonder how I can use that to his advantage?
I guess my question would be how can we (as teachers or as student teachers) care for our students without taking it too far? Maybe that student who is being picked on would benefit from staying after school to talk to his teacher. Is that allowed?