Monday, May 7, 2012

Teacher Trouble...

I understand being a teacher is tough. I would venture that being Ali's teacher is even more tough. However, I do not understand singling a student out and constantly making her the "bad" kid. Ali is crying tonight because that teacher of hers was horrible once again today. I'm not saying that Ali wasn't horrible herself- as a matter of fact, she told me this after I had gotten mad at her for taking things out of my room- so she was already in tears and looking for a way to manipulate me- but unfortunately for me, she hit a sore spot. I loved going to school. I loved learning and I loved being around my friends. I was a pretty good student, I really don't remember getting in trouble- but I didn't ever struggle with learning. Ali does. She has a hard time reading- and that's pretty well connected to everything else. I don't think her teacher ever had a lot of patience with her... from the beginning of the year he's not had much nice to say. Once, two weeks after school started, he told me he gets mad at her more often cause she has a "reputation." A reputation after two weeks? He wasn't sure she was even the one to blame, but because she was the one most often in trouble, he just assumed it was her and got angry. (In this situation, he was apologizing, he had made the wrong assumption) Since then, I've wished I switched her, but I kept thinking that maybe he would be good for her- maybe a strict teacher is what she needed to learn respect. Maybe she would be better at her school work if she was pushed harder. I can say she's a much better reader- she does OK in math- she's no super-student, but she does well enough. I can not say that it's because of her teacher though. I don't know that he's done anything for her, but to make her hate school. His influence this year is going to be a hard one to fix in the years to come. I don't know if it's because their personalities clash- if he's just singled her out as his least favorite or if it's because she's genuinely HORRIBLE, but I do know, that no matter how bad she is- she can be taught to respect. And those she loves, she's incredibly loyal to. Those who treat her with respect, get respected. She absolutely loves to be loved. Unfortunately she is convinced that Mr. Karren doesn't like her cause she's not as cute as another girl in the class. (NOT AS CUTE? Have you seen ALI?) I want her to love school, I want her to love learning- but now I don't know if she ever will. I don't like doing anything I'm not good at either, and when the people who are supposed to be helping me are making it worse? I shut down. How can I be upset at Ali for doing the same? Photobucket

6 comments :

Caldwell Family 6 said...

Oh , this makes me sad. I have such a soft spot for Ali. I love her. Personally, I have never seen anything but sweetness out of her. I wish I could just hug her. Darn it, I am a "shut-down-er" too. I would just say lots of positive reinforcement and frequently pointing out everything that is great about her! Hooray this school year is almost over, and here's to a fabulous teacher next year!!!

Caldwell Family 6 said...

AND, I've got news for Ali, she IS the pretty girl in class...

Cambria said...

oh my little ali girl- move here where the teachers are nice, she has an aunt to spoil her and a cousin (many cousins) to play with. She is beautiful, so pretty it scares me sometimes hahaha and that will NEVER change.

Cambria said...

And remember my reading problems? I was almost a repeater at first grade because I couldn't read- it stayed like that until I got out of elementary because I had a reputation- teachers wouldn't call on me to read in class because I took too long or needed help with words, kids would tease me for not knowing what something said, or for spelling something wrong. (and on top of all that I had a freaking patch on my eye, I mean come on, I was destine for being bullied) but once it was realized I had a learning disability and I learned how to read and do math "the right way" I was a much better student- A's all through middle, jr high and high school because I didn't have to distract my teachers from thinking I was stupid. If they thought I was shy, bullied, or mean they didn't think I was stupid. Does that make sense? The reason she might be "horrible" (which I don't think she is at all) is because she's scared to be "dumb" like I was. She's smart, once she realizes it herself, like I did, she will be a totally different student I promise!

Joey said...

Hummmm, home school?

The Caldwells said...

hugs for Ali.