Tuesday, December 15, 2015

The Run-in

Yesterday I had a little run-in with a couple of my girl students. I came home and typed up a big blog post about it, but decided it was not very uplifting. And so I deleted it.  The little run-in was not anything I couldn't handle, but it left me disquieted. When class was over, one of the boys came up and talked to me - making me feel better. He said he didn't understand why the girls had been ugly to me and that he appreciated my help in art.  Then another boy in the next class who witnessed the run-in, said, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Baggett." meaning that he was sorry that I had had to deal with such snit.  I told him that it was all good. Then he proceeded to charm me back into smiles.

It seems that there are good kids and bad kids. Sometimes the good kids are bad and vice-versa. Today's kids are going through things that I never dreamed of going through. Divorced parents, step-parents, step-siblings, half-siblings, etc. is the norm. Druggie parents or foster parents are more the thang. This is small town America where things are suppose to be great. Things are not great. Things are quite sad. Okay, I realize this is not very uplifting either, but sometimes it helps me to think past the actual happenings in class and think about the problems behind the problem. Then I can find compassion and patience.

6 comments:

CenTexTim said...

It's tough enough being a teen-ager, what with hormones, coming of age, and all that good stuff. Factor in all the other issues you mention and it's even tougher. It's nice for them that they have someone like you in their life.

Anonymous said...

Just mark your calendar. The girls will be at it again in 28 days.

A teacher once told me I should be fighting for an A, instead of always fighting for an F. The first is easier...

Bag Blog said...

CTT, Thanks. I get to go home at noon each day. Those teachers that put in full days plus extra curricular activities are amazing or stupid.

Anon, Since it is Art, I don't give bad grades. I just ask them to attempt the work - put out some effort. In some cases, that seems to be too much. Others are beginning to catch on.

Jo Castillo said...

I’m always writing long rants and then not posting. I always feel better after I write it down. I am happy not to be dealing with teenagers … or kids. Our grandson and wife just took on 3 foster kids 4 -3-1, siblings. Don’t know for how long, of course. Hope they can deal with the loss when the time comes for them to leave. Hard to do.

As CenTexTim said, they are lucky to have you in their life.

Hugs from down south.

Bag Blog said...

Thanks, Jo.

Bag Blog said...

Thanks, Jo.