The new quarter

This is the second week of our 3rd quarter of the year, and that means I have all new students in Biology A. The week before the quarter began I freaked out because I saw the rosters. Second period had 35 students in it, about 10 of which used to be called "delinquents", and a cluster of 3 Special Education (SpEd) students. I don't mind having SpEd students in my classes, as a matter of fact, with all of the support they get from our terrific SpEd teachers and aides, these kids are much more focused, diligent and well-organized than regular students. And in my 3rd period class, there were 17 kids, half of whom used be called "delinquents", and 2 SpEd kids. I suffered a crisis of confidence; "Am I good enough to handle this or is it going to be a train wreck until June?" I had been hearing all year long how awful this particular crop of kids was, and I had to go into their classrooms several times when inept Substitutes could not establish a modicum of order. I also dealt with several of them in the hallways where they were roaming, talking on the phone instead of being in class. I tried to get to know them and begin to build a relationship with each one of them in preparation for they day they walked into my classroom. One of them, I'll call her VY, would always look at me with an "Eat $#!% and die, lady" attitude. So, I was braced for the worst!

Fortunately I had just attended a skills-based 3-day training on how to lower students' anxiety levels and build better reationships with them for the purpose of teaching the kids to manage themselves as a high-performing team....and I had been practicing on my existing classes so that I would be prepared. No way was I going to let these kids eat me for lunch!

Well, I have to tell you, it has been a slice of heaven. I told them I was preparing them to succeed in the professional world and that meant they'd be practicing how to shake hands and greet and unknown adult, and how to talk and behave in a professional group. They love it! They love shaking my hand everyday and they seek me out in the hallways to show off to their friends. They love cominng to class and their speech and behavior has been really wonderful. Today they worked together as a class to create their own Social Contract in which they detailed how they agreed to treat each other in class. I told them they did not have to vote for the contract or sign it, but they all did anyway. Last Friday I took the day off (to go skiing at Mammoth!) and the report from the Guest Teacher (Sub) was glowing; she said she'd love to come back to my classroom because the kids were so respectful and hardworking. So, I know this is still part of the honeymoon phase, but I've never had a class with this many clowns and low-skill kids...or any class actually....be this enjoyable and productive.

The "eat $#!% and die" girl? She walked into my classroom the first day expecting the worst...I could tell by the look on her face, the big sighs and the eyerolling and sandbagging. She is now one of the biggest smiles in my day and she speaks to me first when she's in a group of kids...this is huge movement for her. I just love how open and accepting these kids are; I feel so lucky to have this kind of people in my life every day! Wouldn't it be great if everyone were like that?

A follow up on DJ. I've seen her arms and I saw no evidence of cutting, so I'm not sure what the actual truth on that is. She is in one of my new Biology classes, so I can keep a closer eye on her, although she has already had several absences. I just hope those are for counseling...she wouldn't share the reason, just said it was for something she had to do. She's still struggling, but is showing a little spark of happiness now and then. Keep her in your thoughts!