Sometimes you have a class that has the perfect combination of tricky students who love to antagonize each other, and have been at it for years. No matter what you accomplished in all your other classes that day, this class will only get through a fraction of it. The class is 90% management and 10% teaching.
I have one of those classes this year. I’ve been feeling really stressed out because I’m in a new school, trying to make a name for myself, but I feel like my students are not learning a darn thing!
What upsets me the most though is that there is a small handful of students who want to learn. They are quiet and well-behaved, but they don’t get an ounce of my attention because I am putting out fires in every other corner of the room.
Today, however, I decided to celebrate those kids by sending them a quick little email after class.
Dear ___,
I wanted to take a minute to let you know how much I appreciate your quiet work ethic in class. I know I can always count on you to be listening and following along, as well as a good influence on whichever partner you work with. You deserve 100 tickets for always doing what you’re supposed to do, and I wanted you to know that I recognize this even if I can’t always acknowledge it during class. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Srta. Sheridan
Before the end of the day, I had responses from 3 of the 6 I contacted.
Student 1:Thank you so much!!!!! I enjoy your class and I am happy that you recognize my hard work!!!! Your class makes so much more sense than my Spanish 1 last year!!!! Thank you for teaching me!!!
Student 2:You are so sweet, thank you!
Student 3: It was my pleasure!
I share this with you not to toot my own horn, but to show you (and remind myself!) that students are always learning, even if it’s not as much as you thought or hoped. Also, don’t forget about the good kids. They need your attention too. =)
