It was my first time in my new practicum for the semester. After getting thoroughly lost in the winding halls of the high school, I walked into the classroom only to find that we would shortly be turning around and leaving for the computer lab. Mrs. Ellis informed me that the students were working on résumés, cover letters, and follow-up letters to help them when they began to search for jobs. She also introduced me to her para-educator, Mrs. Paxton, who is there to aid the students in the class that are part of the special education program.
Once we were in the computer lab, I noticed one student in particular, we'll call him Kyle, who was not working on anything pertaining to the class. Instead, he was focusing on playing one of the games from The Legend of Zelda series on what I believe was a Game Boy Advance emulator. Mrs. Paxton and I approached Kyle and asked him to work on the assignment, but he ignored us even after I told him, "Link will still be there when you're done with your work." Needless to say, he did not work on any of the assignments for the remainder of the class period.
Fast-forward to the next class period, where Kyle is once again playing The Legend of Zelda. I notice Mrs. Paxton having a chat with him and overhearing bits and pieces of it, I realize that it is a conversation I should probably stay out of. I heard Kyle say things like "I give up" and it broke my heart a little. Once Mrs. Paxton finished talking to him, I asked her if he was just having a rough time. She explained to me that he's been in foster care his entire life and that the number of homes he has been in is crazy. Every time he gets into any kind of trouble, he is moved to a new home.
This information hit me like a ton of bricks. I have come to realize that I honestly have no idea how to handle this. He's practically given up on school, but he tells me things like, "I'm smart, I just procrastinate a lot." What am I supposed to do? I have no experience with students that have such a rough home life history. I hate watching him waste his time in class by sleeping, playing video games, or distracting other students, but I don't want to push him too hard. Ever since that day when I found out about him being a foster child his entire life, I have left him for Mrs. Ellis and Mrs. Paxton to deal with. I just hope I'm doing the right thing.
Sam,
ReplyDeleteThank you for voicing your uncertainty. It was very powerful to see the struggle that you faced with this young man. I have faced similar struggles and and I fear that they do not get any easier even as our experience grows.
Ms. Raper,
ReplyDeleteI love the honesty here, and your desire to do the right thing for students. I can tell this caring attitude will carry over into your actual teaching. Students will be lucky to have someone as empathetic as you as their teacher. Thank you for sharing this tough situation and the fact that you're unsure of the solution.
Sincerely,
Andréa
Sam,
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for your sheer honesty in this reflection. I think that it is very important for us as teachers to know as much as is possible (and appropriate) about what our students go home to after school, because it DOES have a strong impact on their behavior and performance in the classroom. Unfortunately, I don't have any answers for you on this... only the encouragement that you will figure out the best way to deal with this student.
I think that the best thing you can do for your fostered gamer is to be there for him, always ready to listen if he needs you to.
Thank you,
Allie
Sam,
ReplyDeleteThis is a tough topic, but I commend you for being brave enough to talk about it. Yes we all get nervous and we all encounter students who do not want to participate, but this situation is much deeper than any of that. This is something we will all eventually have to face as teachers, and the fact that you're thinking this deeply about it now shows that you aren't just a teacher there for the paycheck, but that you truly care about what is going on in these kid's lives. I think you are right not to overstep your bounds, because as pre-student teachers we can only do so much. I like how you do not try to offer him empty words because that really won't help his situation in the end. He has some choices he needs to make, but also he needs certain help that you can't possibly give him. I don't think that you should simply ignore him all together though. You don't want to "push him too hard" but occasionally checking up on him and asking about his day might make all the difference. Seeing that someone truly cares will probably help him more than anything! Good luck with your fostered gamer, and thanks for sharing this with us.
Nicky