Wow, what do you do when a child says this? I had to figure that out this year. I had a little one tell me this horrifying fact and I didn't know what to do. I referred this child to the counselor of course, but what do you do to help that child function in everyday life? I had been wondering why this child was so physical with others, but I was not prepared for this. Who would be? I had grown up in a very stable society with both parents their to support me. When I moved to my school, it was like moving to Mars. Sure, we received some training on inner city schools and the things inner city students went through, but that seemed so foreign to me until I moved to Burke County to teach.
My world was now filled with children who had nothing to eat, were homeless, and unfortunately suffered mental and physical abuse daily. In order to orient myself and some of the other new first year teachers to the reality of our "little country school", my principal, whom I now consider a genious, had us ride the bus routes so that we could see what our children lived through daily.
This realization right here is why I dislike and distrust quantitative tests. Now, don't get me wrong, I believe every child can learn, it's just that other children have to put their minds at ease with street stuff or home stuff before they can learn school stuff. How can one say that a children whose power may have been cut off every other week or moved 5 times in a school year can perform at the level of a child to two working and educated parents?
Since this child, and some of the other sad and heartbreaking things I have seen and heard, I focused my teachings around a secure and loving environment full of structure and care. I do value education, that's why I am a teacher. but I realize that I have to gain the trust of these children in the process if I ever want to see any progress. I have included in my class library many books about grief, pain, emotions, and trust. Racial issues are not as much as a problem; moreso the poverty stricken broken homes.
It is hard some days. I take so much of this home. I worry about these children, want to bring them home and care for them, get so frustrated at these "parents" that have no time for these little minds eager to learn and be loved. I really wish college had taught me how to better prepare for this. Sometimes I wonder how long I can be in this profession and see children thrown away or not appreciated. But, I remind myself that I am making a differnce. As small as it may seem. I don't have all of the answers or the cure alls, but I try to help. I respect these children for what they bring to the table and acknowledge the fact that they may have had to find food the night before as opposed to studying for their spelling test.
These children do need education and I bust my butt to help them succeed, realizing that it may be the only way out for some of them who live in an actual hell. But, unlike these benchmark tests that say they should be here or there, I strive to be patient and honest, telling them why I push education so much, so that they can be anything they want to be.
Whitney gilbert
Comments (10)
Whitney,
You hit on the point that I was trying to make last week. We are always forcing students to fit into these neat packages. But they don't because they are human and everyone is different. It is especially difficult for students (like the ones you are speaking of) to be successful. It's almost like these quantitative tests are setting them up for failure. It is very frustrating. And I believe you are doing the right thing by encouraging them and telling them why education is so important in today's society.
Posted by Sarah Feinman | February 21, 2009 6:31 PM
Posted on February 21, 2009 18:31
Very valid points, Whitney. This was one of the biggest lessons I learned my first year of teaching. I had a 16 year old student who was still taking freshman classes; she was brilliant but just didn't pass, year after year. I had several conversations with her and one day she said to me, "Mrs Rivers, you have no idea what I'm dealing with at home. My mom is addicted to meth. I'm a recovering addict but now take care of my younger sister because my mom doesn't. Passing English just isn't a priority for me right now." After that, I realized that I needn't be so quick to generalize about my students. We have no clue the extent of their home life. And we shouldn't be so quick to glance over them. I had never though about qual vs. quan research in the way you brought up, but you have convinced me that, in these cases, quantitative research would be a terrible indicator of reality.
Posted by Christy Rivers | February 22, 2009 2:40 PM
Posted on February 22, 2009 14:40
You are what these children need. A loving and caring teacher that realizes the importance of education but also recognizes the daily struggles that your students face. The way you embrace your students but still push them to learn is exactly what they need. Although your job is much harder than many others you should remember that at the end of the day you have made a difference in a child's life that possibly no one else has.
I love the way you provide literature that can help them through their tough situations. Do you all have class or small group discussions about the different situations? Are your students willing to write about the issues they face?
Amy Spade
Posted by Amy Spade | February 22, 2009 8:26 PM
Posted on February 22, 2009 20:26
Whitney-
Wow! I started in teaching in the same place you are. I taught in a little old country school where I was the minority. The population was mainly migrant workers. I had more children with a parent in prison than two at home. I remember keeping soap and deoderant under my sink for students to "bathe" on their way to their free breakfast in the cafeteria. I remember a little boy coming to school with cut up feet because of the broken glass around his trailer. I FELT SO INEPT! I was young, single, and GREEN! I did not have a class in this! But, I had a heart, and so for those two years, heart issues were the main business of our day. We did what was expected for the curriculum, but intertwined between the layers of math and language arts, were lessons on life. Sometimes it was just bringing in joy to break up the doom that faced them at the end of each school day. I think of a quote I've heard--I may misquote this--"Preach always, when necessary use words." St. Francis of Assisi. That is what you are doing. Your actions are PREACHING your care loud and clear across the vacuums in those children's hearts. Keep doing it, don't give up, you are there for a purpose. Can they journal some of this stuff down to get it out? I cannot remember the grade you teach. Perhaps you can find literature both serious and humorous that hits on some of these issues. Eve Bunting, Patricia Polacco, Cynthia Rylant all have some great stories that could open up conversation and build connections.
Posted by Stefoni Shaw | February 22, 2009 8:57 PM
Posted on February 22, 2009 20:57
Wow! This would definitely be tough to hear. I have not had any experience with this type of situation yet. However, I am sure I would feel exactly like you did. I too grew up in a stable homelife with two loving, supporting parents; however, I have obviously already learned that this is not true for many of my students.
I also really enjoyed your ideas of quantitative research. I think this type of testing and assessment has its place in schools, but it cannot be the sole method of assessing children. All children are not standard; therefore, we should not assume that a standardized test is going to truly assess their abilities and growth over a year's period. Thanks for the situation you provided as it will help me deal with these things in the future.
Posted by Brittany Guy | February 23, 2009 10:53 AM
Posted on February 23, 2009 10:53
Whitney,
It's amazing that we go through four years (+) of college and we are never taught how to deal with the drunk dad that beats up mom. As teachers we face so many obstacles in trying to make our students successful functioning adults. You are exactly what these students need. A loving and caring teacher who knows that the children, not test scores, are the most important thing in education.
Posted by Anonymous | February 23, 2009 9:35 PM
Posted on February 23, 2009 21:35
I keep forgetting to sign my name!!!!! ;( The above comment was written by me.
Posted by Cherrita Hayden-McMillan | February 23, 2009 9:53 PM
Posted on February 23, 2009 21:53
Wow Whitney. I know you are making a difference in the lives of your children. When all is said and done that is what matters. The government will keep raising the bar so that only the brightest will pass standardized testing, when the true test should be how much the child has grown under your love and care, because if you care, then the student will too and will hard to please you! Keep making a difference!
SuSu Watson
Posted by SuSu Watson | February 24, 2009 5:35 PM
Posted on February 24, 2009 17:35
Whitney,
What is the connection between your story and the Henry article?
Posted by Alecia Jackson | February 26, 2009 11:41 AM
Posted on February 26, 2009 11:41
Whitney,
What is the connection between your story and the Henry article?
This week's focus was gender and literacy. Is there something in your story above that relates to gender?
Posted by Alecia Jackson | February 26, 2009 11:42 AM
Posted on February 26, 2009 11:42