In the past 2 weeks I got 2 new kids from different states. They're both juniors. One's in my advisory, so I don't really "teach" him. The other is in my precalculus class. I had just handed out a survey to the kids the previous class and among other questions, I asked them to "tell me something good in your lives" and "is there anything bothering you (y/n) no details needed" and "if you answered yes above, is there someone you can talk to about it (y/n)".
Well before I read them, I saw the new student in the halls one morning this week and after hellos, I asked him if he did his homework just by way of conversation. No. Well, are you going to? I'll try. Well, try and do. Okay. I noticed that he was looking a little glum, but I didn't mention it. Later I read his survey response, and he went on about how he really missed his old friends and he has no one to talk to and he is not making new friends and such.
Of course here comes big mean teacher me: What? You're sad/depressed? I don't care! Do your math homework!
I later sent him e-mail mentioning that he could come to my class after school or during lunch as there's always some kids in there. That way I figure he doesn't have to wander around aimlessly looking/being alone while everyone else seems to be having a good time. I'm wondering how many other kids there are just dreading lunch or after school because of a big vast empty space of time with no one to talk to.
That was really nice of you to notice and offer. I hope he takes you up on it... but when a teenager is in a funk, sometimes they don't feel much like coming out of it.
ReplyDeleteJonathan
We never know what our students are going through, outside of our class or school. I thinks it's great there are a few teachers that will try to find out. I think sometimes we need to focus on changing lives more than teaching skills.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of you. I do seem to continually flop back and forth between just teaching my topic and teaching the whole child. Hopefully, more and more, I'll stop and remember that they are actual people and not just receiving vessels of math knowledge.
ReplyDeleteMs. Cookie