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For our first week's discussion we will be reading the preface and introduction. Then introduce yourself, your position, and your school. After reading the author's struggles, reflect on a situation you have had in your classroom with a student that had similar struggles. Without mentioning their last name (first names or initials are fine), share those struggles with us. Collecting these stories from students in our district will help define our purpose as Kokomo teachers and the children we service daily.
(For next week read Chapter 1-The Seven Engagement Factors.)
Hi! I'm Erica Bennett, and I teach fifth grade at Bon Air. One student in particular came to mind when I read the preface and introduction. T is a very happy child, but he really struggles in school. He struggled every day with keeping his work organized, shouting out, turning in assignments, distracting others, etc. He was a very sweet student, but his life at home was a huge distraction to him. His mother worked the night shift, so after being picked up from school he was immediately taken to the babysitter's. His mom wouldn't get off of work until midnight, and she specifically told him not to fall sleep until she gets there because she needed help carrying his younger brother and sister to the car. These late nights often made him tardy for school the next day. T was also constantly hungry- he ate every bite of the breakfast and lunch that was put in from of him, and would commonly get seconds, thirds, and even fourths for snack. T was also very transient: he once told me that he had attended every elementary school in the Kokomo district, and I didn't doubt him. I have suspicions that T had more emotional difficulties at home as well, but he didn't share any of these with me.
ReplyDeleteI know that all of these struggles took a huge toll on T's learning. He was not where he needed to be academically by the end of the year. Although it's easy for me to blame it on being a new teacher, I know it's more than that. I think that reaching students like T should be a joint effort. It's our responsibility to show our students that poverty does not define you. The speaker at one of the sessions I attended at the Model Schools conference said something that struck me- "A student's success is NOT automatically determined by SES." We have to show our students that they can be successful, too.
I remember that quote from the MSC and it stuck me, too. And I most definitely agree with you that reaching students, that are struggling like T should be a joint effort. Sometimes we just get so frustrated that having a team to bounce ideas and strategies off of really helps. And it won't only help you it'll help your struggling students as well.
DeleteThese stories are always so hard to hear. Especially the fact that he wasn't allowed to fall asleep by midnight because his mom relied on him to help with the younger children. These kids are expected to grow up so fast and not be a kid themselves. They worry about all of the things that they hear their parents discussing at home (money, bills, landlords, etc...) It's so sad and so different than most of our upbringings.
DeleteYour comment, Tammy, made me think of something else that I've heard that I think fits some of our students. Realizing that kids that have to be the adults at home often do struggle with coming to school and then being asked to be a kid. They are used to being in charge, to having to make the decisions and there the struggle can ensue.
DeleteTammy and Elizabeth I do think we need to remind ourselves more often that the lives some of our students live is very different from the ones we grew up with. I really think we need to make adjustments to our expectations for our students as many of them are struggling in schools for circumstances they cannot control. Can we think of different ways to have them complete homework without it being punitive? We need to continue of modeling how we teach to reach the population of students we serve.
DeleteI heard another quote once at a Family Engagement Conference. "A students success isn't determined by a zip code." -Byron Garrett. When you mentioned the other quote it reminded me of that quote.
DeleteI agree that we need to change our outlook and perception of our students that are growing up in poverty. But just as they have a hard time relating to us because of the diversities, it isn't always second nature for us to understand their predicament because of our background. I feel as though teachers putting forth the effort to try to understand where they are coming from and how to better relate to them is commendable. The blame gets put on teachers for not identifying better (but just as our students struggle in unknown territory, we do as well). We are trying to bridge the gap in order to reach them better. Often times I feel as though we are put at fault for simply not knowing a world we haven't experienced.
DeleteHello! Elizabeth Fulk here. I teach third grade at Bon Air. I would say it's difficult to pick just one student. I feel that his story is the story of many of our students. It is has struck me often how school for some is the place they are the safest, they place that if they had a choice, they would stay rather than go home. Humbling to say the least.
ReplyDeleteI'm ready for year round school, even if it just has to be Bon Air, for this very reason. They need more opportunities for meals, shelter, etc. Shorten the long stretches of time they go without.
DeleteI agree. I think year round would not only help our students, but staff as well.
DeleteJessica, I agree with you on the year round school. Our students, like so many others, need it. Which goes along with what Elizabeth is saying and that's sometimes our school is the safest, most comfortable, and structured environment for them! We know they are getting shelter, food, and attention.
DeleteOne of the hardest times we have as teachers is the week prior to a major holiday/break or the last week of school. I do believe this is because the kids recognize the safety and structure of the school environment, and don't want the chaos of home. I remember one year, one of my young students asked to come home with me for Christmas. My heart broke!
DeleteI wish we had year round school as well! I also wish there was a way to provide a more stable home life too, as in a free or low-cost boarding school.
DeleteRoxanne York, 3rd, BAE. I agree 100% with Elizabeth on it is hard to pick one when you think everyone grows up like you did! One quote from the book I really liked was, "It is important to remember that your own world is just a grain of sand on a beach of experiences. Do not assume your individual experiences are representative of everyone else's." I think back to C who was going through physical and emotional abuse-how are we supposed to get kids with those experiences to focus? We never truly know the backstory on our students, so we must be there safe haven where for 6+ hours they are engaged and minds on learning.
ReplyDeleteRoxanne it so hard for me sometimes to remember that I am (or we as a school) are their safe haven. I grew up with a mom and a dad and I got to be a kid. I went to school, did my work, came home and played. I got to be a kid. It's sometimes hard for me to stop and remember there's a reason he's acting out or a reason he's falling asleep in class. They don't all just kid to be kids.
DeleteI liked that quote as well. It's also important to remember that what we think of as normal.....many others haven't ever grown up or even witnessed our "normal." They have their own "normal" and may think they have it pretty well off!
DeleteI love that quote! (maybe it is the beach reference) :)
DeleteC was exactly who I thought of, Roxanne. I think of her often. :(
DeleteAnn Ligocki here and I am STEM coordinator and PE teacher at Boulevard. For me my one student would be M, a first grader. He has a difficult home life and many times came in with clothes many sizes too large. In PE class he would literally run out of his shoes as they were too big. He and his clothes were usually dirty.I wanted to help him start each day learning how to take care of himself. I wanted to send him off the restroom where he had his own personal care products to go get cleaned up and change him into clean clothes that fit. M is very impulsive and acts out frequently to find the stimulation he is seeking. He certainly is an example how it takes a village to help raise these children.
ReplyDeleteI had a student named C. She was with me when I was pregnant and smelled so terribly I had to take shallow breaths during reading group so I wouldn't get sick. Our assistant principal at the time provided her with deodorant and other hygiene products. She would go to the nurses office and use these sometimes. I wish there was an organization that provided those types of products for schools. Perhaps instead of a canned food drive we could do that one year as a district then split up the collections?
DeleteHi! I'm Hether Darnell, kindergarten teacher at Boulevard. I was immediately captured in the preface of this book as the author described his own background and personal challenges. I thought about "Z" as I was reading and thinking about all of the obstacles and uncertainty she faced on a daily basis. She started kindergarten with both parents in jail. The first time I met mom, she was wearing an ankle bracelet and the first time I met dad, he was living in a halfway house and trying to find a home so he would be able to have visitation with his daughter. Both parents loved their child very much, but the lack of structure and stability at home made school a challenge for her. Many things in this book resonate with me when I think about "Z".
ReplyDeleteIt is great even though they had their own struggles they still had a love for their daughter. We all make mistakes. I guess some just make worse ones than others. Hopefully they can turn it around for their daughters sake!
DeleteHi! I am the instructional coach at Bon Air Elementary. My most vivid memories of students are of those during my first year teaching. I was teaching third grade at BAE at that time and those kids and their struggle were eye opening! I think of Darren. One day he came to school with no shoes on. His little brother and him had slept in the park the night before. They woke up and couldn't find their shoes but walked to school in the same mud covered clothes from the day before. I had met mom who would come in reeking of odd smells I knew were somehow drug related. She was always messed up on something. Darren was the oldest and clearly in charge. His stories were heartbreaking. He moved away that following year, but I think of him often. I search his name on Facebook (is that weird?) from time to time basically in hopes to see his picture and know he's still alive and ok. No results yet. ;(
ReplyDeleteJessica, I don't think it's weird to search on Facebook. When I student-taught in Indianapolis, I had a girl in my class who came to school each day wearing extremely dirty clothes and shoes so small her toes were sticking out. It absolutely broke my heart! I asked my cooperating teaching if I could buy her new shoes. The school was very involved with the parents trying to help them out. However, they did not like to accept handouts. We ended up talking with the parents at parent-teacher conferences and they accepted the shoes. The look on her face when she received them melted my heart. I often worry about how she is doing and also sometimes Facebook "creep" to try to check up on her. No result yet either. :/
DeleteMaryann Woodring, and I teach 2nd grade at Bon Air. When I read the preface I really did think Eric was describing a student. When I found out it was himself that he was describing it brought me to why I wanted to teach at Kokomo Center in the first place; I am a product of my environment! My parents divorced when I was two. I am the youngest of 10 siblings, but I am the only conceived from both my parents. My father was in and out of my life. He showed up once on my birthday and didn't even know it was birthday! The story goes on and on.... I relate to our students. There's not been too many stories that have surprised me, but all have saddened me! I want to make a difference. I want to teach our students that no matter what your story is it's just a story, and you don't have to make it your life! I always say to my students Know Better, Do Better, Be Better! Sometimes (a lot of the time) I push to hard, but it's because I care so much.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Tammy Kearnes. I teach 3rd grade at Pettit Park. Like some of you, I can think of different students with different stories, but not one alone stands out. During our morning meeting time this year I was able to hear many of them share personal stories. One boy had the question of "The time I was most embarrassed was..." His response was when his dad was drunk, which happened often he said. Another little girl told us that over Mother's Day weekend her mom spent the entire time passed out on the couch from drinking too much. That same little girl often told me how hungry she was because there was no food in her house. Without that story, it would have been hard for me to understand why she always asked for the fruit and vegetable snack regardless of what it was and wanted as much as she could get. I've had students say they didn't get much sleep due to parents up all night fighting or drinking. One students moved this year out of district, but his mom still drove him here every day. He would always walk in between 9:15-10:00. I could tell after a while he was so embarrassed. One day he angrily told me that his mom won't get out of bed in the morning to get him to school on time. I don't know if the reason was because of late work or not, but I stopped counting him tardy so much after that because I didn't want him to get into trouble. I knew if it became a problem, he'd have to go to his area school and then we'd lose him. Another very difficult story for me to hear this year was after a little boy's backpack was discovered to have large bugs in it. He didn't think a thing of it. He said they are all over his house, even the table while they're eating. I can't even imagine living like that. The constant lice problem with some of our students is another example of living in an unclean environment. All of these stories are just reminders of the diversity out there and how important it is to embrace and accept everyone so that we all have a chance at a more promising future.
ReplyDeleteTammy, I can totally relate to the tardiness issue!!!! OMG one little girl was tardy so many times she started leaving her slips out in the hallway, and telling me she was at breakfast!! I would find them later or at the end of the day. I too ended up just not counting her tardy anymore. It wasn't making a difference! lol Now as for the child with bugs on the table; I think you just shocked me!! GROSS... I really didn't think there were too many houses that bad anymore. I'm second thinking the whole home visit idea:)
ReplyDeleteMy name is Tina Hahn and I teach first grade at Elwood Haynes. Soooo many things, kids, struggles, ideas and frustrations came to mind while reading through the intro. I had a student last year who really struggled with stealing from me. I let the first one go with just a little talking to. I think around the 5th time I involved admin and the 8th one(ish) I involved her past teacher and admin to come up with ideas. I was kind of in shock when told not to call the father (mother is not in the picture) because he would surely get angry with her. I couldn't call dad anyway. His phone was "not a working number." That phrasing just blew my mind of her home life. I changed my tactic with her and brought in extra snacks for when she was hungry, gave her a new pencil or eraser for helping a friend with something. I know it didn't solve the problem but I would like to think I helped. It's so hard for me sometimes to not just want to take the students home and cuddle with them under a roof with a hot meal and watch cartoons.
ReplyDeleteI understand your frustrations, Tina! I, too, have wanted to take various students home with me to nurture, cuddle, and stuff with good food! Instead, I bring in my old gym shoes for those to wear who have either outgrown their old ones, or the old ones just simply fell apart off their feet! I also bring in my old field day t-shirts for girls to wear to cover up their cleavage!
DeleteLyndsi Smith, Assistant Principal at Bon Air Elementary
ReplyDelete(I am reposting this because I see it did not post)
First of all, I am LOVING this book! It is perfect for our students and all KSC staff, in my opinion!
Second, I can think of so many students who have tugged at my heart over the years as I was a classroom teacher and now that I am an assistant principal. I also always try to remember that I really do believe most parents are doing the very best they know how to do!
One little first grader this year had a really rough year...I made a point to seek him out in the morning and give him a hug before his day started. This did not help him behave better every day, but I do think it helped him know he was loved and cared about!
I am Peggy Rivers, and this is my 22nd year of teaching. I've been teaching fifth grade at Elwood Haynes for the last 9 years. I love the common-sense approach Eric Jensen has with his book, and I like how it correlates well with the Model Schools Conference. I'm in the middle of reading chapter 5 so far, and can't wait to finish!
ReplyDeleteI recall one student, "Sue", who was always hungry, and worried about fitting in socially. She was above average academically, but struggled with peer relationships. She seemed clumsy, with over-exaggerated movements. She both cried and laughed easily. Her words could be equally cutting and comforting. I tried to spend a little extra time with her without showing favoritism - once I invited her to have lunch with me in the classroom, just the two of us. She loved it! I find it is a hard line to walk with giving students my personal time and giving myself enough down time.
Peggy, I completely agree that it is hard to balance personal time between students and ourselves. It seems like my first semester of teaching I spent SO many hours working to make sure my kids were comfortable and my class was prepared that I wasn't giving myself any rest! I felt very overworked and I was burnt out quickly. Once I learned to balance school and home, I felt better about myself and my teaching. I also was able to show my students that I care more because I wasn't so exhausted all of the time.
DeletePeggy, I completely agree that it is hard to balance personal time between students and ourselves. It seems like my first semester of teaching I spent SO many hours working to make sure my kids were comfortable and my class was prepared that I wasn't giving myself any rest! I felt very overworked and I was burnt out quickly. Once I learned to balance school and home, I felt better about myself and my teaching. I also was able to show my students that I care more because I wasn't so exhausted all of the time.
DeleteMy name is Diana Turner and I teach third grade at Boulevard. While reading the preface, I kept thinking about student "C" in my classroom this past year. Before his first day, I was told his mother was in rehab for a severe drug addiction and he would only be in my class temporarily. He had been moved from school to school, district to district--his entire school career. He started the year very academically behind, understandably so. He was going to live with his dad and his dad's girlfriend for the time being. I knew I needed to make connections and build rapport with him even if I only had him for a "short" time. A couple months into school, his dad went to prison. I knew this had to be very difficult for him. I can only imagine how rough it would be as an 8 year old to be living without mom AND dad. I was worried he would move again and lose out on more academics. To make a long story short, he actually was able to remain in my classroom for a full school year! He made tremendous growth and I couldn't be more proud of him! I was so happy he was able to have some stability in his life at school even though he did not in his home life.
ReplyDeleteStability with our kids is extremely important. So glad that he got to stay with you for a full school year! It is good to hear stories like yours where you can see the difference in the year that you had that student. I think sometimes it is hard because it can take years with teaching elementary age students to truly see the impact you’ve had on your students.
DeleteMy name is Alycia Daleo and I teach Kindergarten at Boulevard. While reading the beginning of this book I had many students come to mind. The students that I kept thinking about over and over are the ones who are being raised by there grandparents, great-grandparents, or other relatives. It becomes really hard for them when their parents are coming in and out of their lives constantly. In situations like this I try my best to be a positive part of their lives that they can look forward to everyday. I loved the quote from the preface that said, "They need loving, caring role models, not prison guards."
ReplyDeleteI loved that quote too. I keep remembering from the conference just because kids are compliant doesn’t mean they are engaged. Building those relationships with the students is truly vital to our students’ success. Keep being that positive support in their lives!
DeleteThis is my 5th time trying to post this so,
ReplyDeleteI am Emily Boyd I am a second grade teacher at Boulevard.
I am sorry it is so late. After reading the introduction I thought of a student I had my first year of teaching. He was a student that came in each night after barely sleeping and came in dirty clothes, just not ready for school. Although this student did not want to be there and would have much rather been playing baseball or sleeping, he came to school. I had to learn how to be patient with him while holding the same expectations for him. He learned to respect me and we built a lot through the year. Although he never told me "I appreciate what you did for me" I know that some day he will. The author spoke of how important teachers became to him. I hope that some day he thinks the same of me.
My name is Erica Edgar and this will be my first year as the academic and technology instructional facilitator at Pettit Park. I have really enjoyed reading the book so far and like how the author has a very blunt way of sharing ideas and solutions. During my years of teaching I had many students who had similar struggles to what the author described. When I first started teaching I was not prepared for the struggles my students brought to our classroom. My eyes were opened my first year at Pettit. One student named “D” had major tardy issues. When he did come to school there were times when he was very defiant. He would fall asleep in class and had a hard time paying attention. He didn’t have many friends and seemed hungry all the time. He just looked very pale and sickly. A few years after I had him his mom was arrested for drugs and he was taken away from his parents. I think of him and many of the other kids that have been in my classroom. How are they doing? Did I truly do everything in my power to help them? I know for many of my early years the answer is no and that stays with me. I loved how the author stated, “First, they are not ‘those kids”; they are our kids.”
ReplyDeleteErica I also like the philosophy that "they are our kids." As a special area teacher I have the opportunity to teach all the students. Even though I may not get to know as many details of the background of the students as a classroom teacher, I think the students recognize when as educators we embrace all the students as ours. It is making continuous connections with students to help them they are cared for and that we all want them to be successful.
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