I can't believe that my five weeks is over! I have really become attached to these students, and I find it difficult to believe that I won't be involved in their lives anymore. I told all of my students that they were allowed to contact me at any time (through given permission of Mrs. Tierney), and that I was always willing to help them. After all is said and done, I think I have made my mind up about "where I belong." I definitely see myself as a high school teacher, and most people that know me would agree. I learned so much from not only my mentor teacher, but almost all of the staff in the building. Fairmont has an excellent environment for all their staff and students, and I learned that from the very beginning. The administration knows almost, if not all, their student's names and takes the time to greet each and every one of them. They also took the time to ask how I was doing, which is a small but sincere gesture. I wish that I had another 11 weeks to spend with these students. There was so much more that I wanted to do and see with them, it just wasn't enough time! However, after this weeks turn of events I am left feeling a little uneasy. A peer of mine ran into some trouble, and it left me questioning a lot of my decisions. When does "nice" cross the line with a student? When is too much help too much? When do you as a young teacher need to report a student for inappropriate behavior? I think that the problem with most young educators these days is that they want to be friends with their students. I have learned, especially in the secondary setting, that the word "friend" should not be in our vocabulary. We are not here to be friends with our students, we are not here to make them love us. We are in schools to advocate for our students, we are there to act as mentors and role models to students who might not have any otherwise. Anyway, I wish that I could find a way to continue to advocate for my students at FSHS, and hopefully I will find that way! I also look forward to returning to North Elementary, I hear there are a lot more challenges that I face ahead!
Stephanie, You're post brings up a tough but important subject for many beginning teachers. They became teachers because they like kids. They want to be liked so they are nice and don't want to be mean. As you pojnt out this is not the best course to take.
Teachers first and foremost are there to teach and with that comes some boundaries. But you should always be an advocate for kids, particularly kids with disabilities. That in my opinion comes with the territory. Wish I knew more about what you mean by "when do you as a young teacher need to report a student for inappropriate behavior?" Has me curious. DH
Glad to hear what a wonderful experience you had at Fairmont, but glad we're getting you back! I think you make important points about student/teacher relationships, and if you plan to work at the secondary level, will be especially important. I hope you'll always work in a setting where you have mentor teachers to talk to when you're the one who's unsure.
I can't believe that my five weeks is over! I have really become attached to these students, and I find it difficult to believe that I won't be involved in their lives anymore. I told all of my students that they were allowed to contact me at any time (through given permission of Mrs. Tierney), and that I was always willing to help them. After all is said and done, I think I have made my mind up about "where I belong." I definitely see myself as a high school teacher, and most people that know me would agree. I learned so much from not only my mentor teacher, but almost all of the staff in the building. Fairmont has an excellent environment for all their staff and students, and I learned that from the very beginning. The administration knows almost, if not all, their student's names and takes the time to greet each and every one of them. They also took the time to ask how I was doing, which is a small but sincere gesture. I wish that I had another 11 weeks to spend with these students. There was so much more that I wanted to do and see with them, it just wasn't enough time! However, after this weeks turn of events I am left feeling a little uneasy. A peer of mine ran into some trouble, and it left me questioning a lot of my decisions. When does "nice" cross the line with a student? When is too much help too much? When do you as a young teacher need to report a student for inappropriate behavior? I think that the problem with most young educators these days is that they want to be friends with their students. I have learned, especially in the secondary setting, that the word "friend" should not be in our vocabulary. We are not here to be friends with our students, we are not here to make them love us. We are in schools to advocate for our students, we are there to act as mentors and role models to students who might not have any otherwise. Anyway, I wish that I could find a way to continue to advocate for my students at FSHS, and hopefully I will find that way! I also look forward to returning to North Elementary, I hear there are a lot more challenges that I face ahead!
ReplyDeleteStephanie,
ReplyDeleteYou're post brings up a tough but important subject for many beginning teachers. They became teachers because they like kids. They want to be liked so they are nice and don't want to be mean. As you pojnt out this is not the best course to take.
Teachers first and foremost are there to teach and with that comes some boundaries. But you should always be an advocate for kids, particularly kids with disabilities. That in my opinion comes with the territory. Wish I knew more about what you mean by "when do you as a young teacher need to report a student for inappropriate behavior?" Has me curious.
DH
Glad to hear what a wonderful experience you had at Fairmont, but glad we're getting you back! I think you make important points about student/teacher relationships, and if you plan to work at the secondary level, will be especially important. I hope you'll always work in a setting where you have mentor teachers to talk to when you're the one who's unsure.
ReplyDelete