The Ones I Worry About

I don't know how teachers with kids of their own do it!  It is amazing how quickly you feel so bonded with the students and begin to care about them as if they were your own flesh and blood.  I can't help thinking about where these students will be five or ten years from now and wondering what impact I might have on them.  There are those that I know will be okay.  I see something in them that makes me believe that no matter what challenges life throws their ways, they will persevere.  But there are others that I really worry about.  Some have already given up, have already decided that they are destined for failure and that there is no point in even trying anymore.  Like Student B who simply doesn't do anything and mutters under his breath how much he hates school.  Some are far too easily influenced by their peers.  Like Student J who tries to hide his intelligence to fit in with his class clown wannabe friends.  Some have absolutely no confidence in their abilities.  Like Student D who when prompted always tells me exactly how to solve the problem, but never writes anything down until he sees the teacher go over it.  Some can't handle stress well and seem to crack under the slightest amount of pressure.  Like Student T who freaks out any time there is a minor change in routine and becomes enraged when asked to correct a simple mistake.  Some are quiet, very quiet.  Like Student M who nods and smiles, but rarely says a word.  Some don't fit in.  Like Student B who brought a knife to school last year because the other kids were picking on him.  These are the students who I worry about...not whether or not they will be successful in math class, but whether or not they will be successful in life.

Phasing In

Tomorrow, I will officially take over Mrs. Jenkins-Scott's 4th period pre-algebra class and I could not be more excited!  I have finally learned all of the students' names and feel pretty comfortable working with them.  So far, I have mainly been walking around making sure students are on task and assisting them when needed.  But, I am gradually starting to take on other responsibilities as well such as grading papers and taking attendance.  Although I know that the students are used to my presence in the classroom, my biggest concern is the transition.  I am not worried about the content or the actual instruction part, but just about how the kids will respond to me as I move from the observer to the learning facilitator.  Already the students seem confused at times about who to ask if they can go to the bathroom, for example, and I can see this problem being amplified as I begin really teaching.  Luckily, I have an amazing cooperating teacher who I know will help to make my role more clear to the students!