Amazing

From doing my observations, I sometimes feel like-- "What am I getting into?" Its not that I don't believe I am capable of teaching the students...I am terrified that they won’t want to learn. This, as silly as it sounds, makes me really sad.


I had a great experience yesterday while observing an 11th grade regents English class. There is this kid who I remember from last spring who is coined as a “waste case”—no one wants to work with him any more.

While I was observing, the teacher handed him back an essay that needed to be “rewritten.” From an outsider, it looked as if the student was just looking at the essay and not really putting any effort into making it better. Since I have been observing this particular class for a while, I have learned to study this one student’s facial expressions and interactions with others. For example, he doesn’t show respect for the teachers. I don’t think he does it to be really rude, in contrast, I feel that he does it to mask his feelings of inadequacy.

I decided to help him with his essay.
I walked over to his table and asked if I could read it. Surprisingly, it was written very well. Sure there were grammar mistakes—but over all the content showed a lot of personality. While reading it I asked questions about certain parts. I suggest adding in what he said and actually marked where he should add it in. It was amazing to see the light of understanding come into his eyes. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to redo the essay, he just didn’t understand how/what to do.

Same student—same day.

We had to analyze poetry. HAH! The expression on his face was like, “Are you kidding?”

I love poetry, so once again I decided to help him and his partner. We did some great work! They really responded to my prompts and they appeared to really enjoy it once they understood how to do it. Before he left the class that day he came up to me and said, “Miss. Hollister, thanks for you help.”

This thank you, coming from a student who doesn’t like teachers, meant the world to me.

While I was home that evening, I read a book called “Love that Dog.” The book is about a boy student who doesn’t like poetry. Within the first two pages the book reminded me completely of the first student I worked with. I couldn’t resist but buy the book for him.

While doing my observations the next week, I showed the teacher the book before the class came in. He was really excited about the book, because it would be a great tool to use, but said that the student wouldn’t appreciate it. I felt really down after that and decided not to give it to him.

Nevertheless, before I left I changed my mind. I went up to him and said, “I was reading this book and couldn’t help but think of you, so I decided to buy you a copy.”

The look of pure SHOCK on his face was astounding. He looked at me and said, “You bought this for me?”
I said, “ Yeah, I did. You’ll understand why within the first two pages…just trust me.”

He responded with, “So I can keep it?”

I said, “Of course it’s yours!”
He looked surprised. I am glade I didn’t listen to the teacher. I can’t wait to see if he actually read it