Day Eleven: Leave Them Alone and They'll Come Home

Students really are so very different. Figuring out what they need and how to motivate them is an art. Some do well if I stop by periodically to help them get back on track. But the young man in my 2nd period? I let them know at the beginning of class that we're moving on tomorrow so the projects should be finished today. He then makes a comment about not working, I ignore it, he gets to work, and finishes his project before the class is half over. Similar sequence of events with a girl in my 4th period. Gave me a lot of attitude on Friday, but I was nice and polite to her when bringing her folder to her and ignored her the rest of the time. Doesn't work for all of them, but more evidence for me in coming to understand your students.

Made the mistake of rinsing out a paintbrush today. When my back was turned, one of my students disappeared, along with the bathroom pass. I realized he was gone pretty quickly, called the office, and found out he was already there. Caught in the act.

I'm really struggling to be motivated to write today. I left early today when I found out a fire broke out a few miles from my apartment to go pack up the essentials. Several fires are burning in and around the city, one of which is still completely out of control. At least three teachers at my school lost their homes by lunchtime today, more had been evacuated. Two friends of mine had parents lose their homes and everything in them. They only had a five minute warning to get out.