You Might Be Mad for the Wrong Reason, Teacher!

How many times has a teacher come to school angry and takes out their frustration on a student? How many times does a teacher become angry with a student because they are not responding or participating in class? How many teachers already have an office referral written up on a student before they even enter the classroom? How many teachers wonder why students are acting out or acting up? Well, try talking to student. Try communicating with him. Maybe there is domestic violence at home. Maybe parents are contemplating divorce. Maybe a parent recently died. Maybe a relative died. Maybe that student has not EATEN since Friday at lunch time. Would you be in a good mood if you havent eaten since Friday at noon and now it's Monday at 7am? Maybe they have to shop at Walmart while there classmates shop at Abercrombie and Fitch! Maybe they HAVE to take care of their siblings and did not have time to do homework, for real! Teachers, be more empathetic and sympathetic towards our children. Get to know them. Get to know their parents. My mentor, Jocelyn Goins, taught me to call ALL my parents the first two (2) wks of school. I never doubted her and I follow that rule after 10 yrs of teaching. It's so important to build a relationship with both parents and student. When you watch the news, rarely do we find great stories about teachers. It's true. Stick your neck out! Feed that child for lunch. Come in earlier than expected. Stay late for a student. Buy his supplies for him. Have a listening ear. Encourage him. Let him know you care. A child doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care. So do what's not expected of you and shock the world. Remember, when you don't always want "the floor" the whole room comes to you. Talk back to me!