i think she really means it…

A Tough Year

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 | Sara the Teacher | No Comments

It’s finally over, the 2008-2009 school year.  For some reason this was one of the toughest years of my teaching career. The students last year (2007-2008) were a sweet bunch.  Perhaps I expected the same from this year’s class.  The 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 groups were challenging due to behavior issues.  This group, however, was quite different. 

I noticed right away how immature they all seemed in September.  They were also quite naive, which was a surprise for an 8th grade teacher.  But the characteristic that set them a part from all other students I have taught is that they were LAZY!  It was really discouraging.  I have never had so many students simply not do anything.  I would have preferred a little 8th grade attitude, but these kids gave me nothing.  I am used to students who hate math and don’t understand basic concepts.  That’s one of the reasons I enjoy my job so much.  When you start to unlock the mystery of mathematics, most students begin to find success.  Success is addicting and many students begin to enjoy the subject and put forth more effort.  Not so with this year’s class.  Too many of them worked far below their potential.  They weren’t motivated to do anything.  I care so deeply for my kids and put my best foot forward everyday I enter my classroom.  I pray God will use me in the lives of my students and depend on Him to renew my strength everyday. God is faithful and I know He gave me the motivation everyday to go back into a classroom full of unmotivated students.  For that I am grateful.

Yet, as the school year drew to a close, I found myself checked out.  I just didn’t really care anymore.  I was so burned out I began feeling quite cynical (of course the talk of “pay reductions” next year didn’t help matters!).

That’s not me!

I am a “glass is half full” kind of girl.  I love making “lemonade”…I took on 8th graders for goodness sake!  But my heart is sad.  My passion has fizzled a bit and I’m discouraged when I look at today’s youth.  It breaks my heart to think of what the future holds for this year’s students.  Even if most of them do graduate from high school, no one is going to want to hire a young adult who doesn’t care about working hard and thinks they deserve good things. 

I hope and pray that this summer will be relaxing.  I pray that God will renew my passion for middle schoolers and help me see the good in them.  I refuse to become the kind of person who “can’t believe what this world is coming to.”  I will not shake my head and say, “Kids these days…”  I will look at our community of 8th graders through God’s eyes, with a heart of compassion.

Just a Thought

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 | Random Thoughts | No Comments

If I stayed at work every night until 6:00, would I get more done, or would I simply find more to do? I thought I was through my first couple years of teaching!