I've been substitute teaching almost every day since the end of February. My first day back was in Carter's high school. We rode in together. He texted me between classes and came and got me to eat lunch with him. It was so cute. And I LOVED being back at school. It felt like I was born to be there. It maybe it was just my inner need getting high on pencil shavings.
Since then I have done some teaching at other high schools and Carter's old middle school and the alternative high school for the behaviorally and mentally challenged. In fact the bulk of my days are at the alternative school. The classes are small, the metal detector and isolation rooms are different, but the kids are awesome.
I love it.
But after a week there I've done a few days back at regular middle school. Oh my gosh. The "gangsta" kids from suburbia make me laugh now; they have no idea what "tough" neighborhoods are really like. The trouble makers are nothing compared to the day I had two security guards remove an uncooperative student from my room. The language was Disney compared to the onslaught my ears tune out.
The teaching at the alternative school is so rewarding when the kid I was sent extra security for just in case decides to shoot hoops with me in PE for an hour and then later in the week actually has an entire conversation about The lost Roanoke colony later in the week. And this is a kid who never says anything. Then come to find out he reads books. Like intense big books and no one knew it. Another sweet boy does read books and I gave him a list to take to the library. The one removed from my class? He was so stoked to tell me all about Hunger Games after remembering I wore my Team Peeta shirt last Friday.
These are kids who's lives are really and truly hard. Yet I hope that there is some way can be a bright spot for them. I have always enjoyed working with this demographic. I always sai this is the kind of school I would love to work at.
So to quote the vice principalas she took my resume "Let's see how this plays out."
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
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The Moncur Fam
September 2006 look for a new one this summer
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8 comments:
I used to work at that school as a shadow...when I was pregnant with my first. That was a challenging job. Desks, pencils, ugly words, fists thrown (thankfully not at me -except for the pencil but it did no harm). I know it was hard for me to be there but it was harder for those kids. I wouldn't go back there again as a pregnant woman but I would go back sans prego-ness. Those kids need someone who truly, deeply cares about them!
I think you could be quite perfect for that job. It would scare me right to death, but you have always been tougher than me (albeit I've got 6 inches on you, so if push came to shove I might be able to take you, ha ha)!
And OOPS, that was not Avree, that was me Cara. She must have signed into my computer at my house yesterday. :)
So glad you are enjoying yourself....but what about the blissful days of skiing while all three kids are at school? I was living vicariously through you....and it hasn't been long enough!!! :)
You are braver than I! My suburbia gangsters with their attitudes are enough for me :) so happy you have found something you love, loving what you do makes a big difference. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Nicole, this is so awesome. And Mark loves his work at the alternative high school, too. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
I hope it works for you. You sincerely care about them, and I'm sure they feel that, as foreign as it may be to many of them. Keep us posted!
hope that works for you!!!
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