humble pie

Complaints by my colleagues about some of the students I'm rather close to have dimmed my opinion of them causing me to cast disapproving looks towards their way.

But i wonder if we adults are just too quick to judge

One of my senior panel member who is teaching the class i was in charge of last yr said the kids are "devilishly rowdy, rude, ignorant and downright disgusting". She is having trouble getting these kids listen to her, much less cooperate and do her work.

In 2009, these very same kids inspired ME. I enjoyed teaching them so much it came to a point where i decided then and there that kids like them are MY reason to stay and educate. One day after a good round of class discussion, i stopped to tell them how proud i am of them, how i sometimes think of them during school break and how i finally learn to LOVE teaching, because of them.

They clapped and hooted and i think i saw hints of blush on their cheeks. I know they love me and they know i care about them.

This year i reluctantly hand them over to a senior staff much to their dismay. They still come by asking me to take them back. Sorry, but its their final year and they are probably better off with a much experienced teacher. Or so we thought..

Personally, i think the kids could have showed more respect. But then again it speaks volume when one teacher finds them inspiring while another has hit her limit and well, kinda hate their guts. Maybe if we are to approach them in a different way it might result significantly different?

Another case was between a senior male teacher and one of the students from the class I'm in charge of this year. The kid was late to the lab so the teacher wanted to punish him as well as several others who took approx. 30mins to go down 1 flight of stairs fr Physics. Everybody else was caned but this particular kid threatened the teacher. Apparently the word 'sue' was used but I never know fr sure coz the kid denied it upon investigation.

The senior teacher was VERY upset when he told me of the account. This kid seems to think he's some kind of a big-shot because of his family background - said the teacher.

I was disappointed in this kid so I approached him during class a day after. I contained my anger and showed him empathy instead. I made sure he noted my disdain. But I also make him tell me everything from his point of view before i guided him to see it through the teacher's eyes. Obviously the kid got defensive but left home that day with a lot that I gave him to think about over the weekend.

Come Monday morning he slinked to my desk looking dejected: "Miss, i think of what you said over what happened with Mr X. I cant study all weekend!"

Indeed the boy seems miserable but intent on making amends with the other teacher. I told him I'm proud of his realization and nudged him in the right direction. He left not without asking first how to go about "apologizing" - something he said he has never done in his entire life until today.

I thought i was to choke in tears. His actions today warmed my heart.

These two incidents made me wonder what else that happened between us and the kids that has skipped "second chances". I wonder what else are we wrong about them? What other incident has caused them to react in a way that they themselves are not proud of but has little control of their own feelings? How many other times have we failed to really stop and listen to them, guide them and EDUCATE?