Reflections On My First Week

This week was challenge in the new job. Zero introductions, zero training, zero orientation. Just "don't bring your lunch on Wednesday" and "here's your classroom". I was learning all my students' names, stumbling all over all sorts of procedures, trying to figure out a morass of paperwork, and trying to ignore a really, really, really horrible teacher person next door to me, who probably hates everyone, but unfortunately, that includes me.

But about the kids, since that's what you want to hear about. I've got English language learners and low literacy level native speakers. They are technically "young adults" but they come from places where they probably had adult responsibilities way too early without stable adult role models. Many of them have trouble with behavior, or trouble with their academics, or trouble with their social skills. Many of them have trouble with all three. But despite all of that, we had some moments this week.

One of the few things that I've been made aware of is that I'm supposed to confiscate all electronics that I see, but honestly if I do that I'd never get around to teaching (same thing with repeatedly waking up students). They try to keep them hidden and I try to ignore them unless it's really disruptive. Yesterday, I heard a little bit of music playing softly and then next thing I knew, first one, then two, then a whole group of my students were singing Wyclef and Mary J Blige's 911. I love that song, and their voices sounded so great. It really made me smile. They were writing, they were just also singing. There was no way I would've stopped them, we all needed a break. Making my day yesterday, one of my English language learners told me "I was a good teacher". I really don't think that I was this week, but I appreciate him telling me and even more I appreciate that he always comes to class on time and ready to work and participates even though he struggles with the language a great deal and he has to go against the flow of most of his peers to do this. He is a native Amharic speaker, from Ethiopia, so for him it's not just a new language, but also a whole new alphabet. He's been here for just a short while and in the program for a year. It will be a struggle for him, but he more than anyone makes me want to stay and stick this out. In my other class, one of my low level literacy students (actually, I think he should be in a higher level but he blew off the test and now he's stuck with me for 90 days before he can test again) has gotten me (and the class) into conversations on the following subjects this week: belief in Christ but not the Bible, ligers, street racing, redemption due to good works vs redemption due to confession, democracy, and the existence of 30 ft dolphins. He alternately cracks me up and infuriates me.

They all act so tough. They are tough. And they are really, really, young. But, then they also can be unexpectedly nurturing. There are four plants in my room (left from the previous teacher, because you all know I would kill them). The students love these plants though. They mist them, they water them, they talk to them. One of the guys even pulled over a desk and moved them all into the sun. Something about that just got to me. Maybe we'll make it though.