Knowing There Is Hope

So just when I thought things couldn't get any worse one of my students showed up Thursday morning before the  benchmark exams and said Ms. B I really thought you could use this because you're awesome...then she handed me a glass apple with a golden stem and leaf...I teared up for a moment not knowing what to say. So I sit it on my pc desk and the other students walk in and begin to start their day. As they see the apple I hear one student say, "So she really did bring the apple". I laugh to myself thinking how they all were discussing things nice to do for me and the surprise that someone actually followed through.

Dream Achieved

Getting my Footing...I think

So I feel like I'm finally getting my footing as a teacher; I really feel like I'm finding my "groove".  I love all my students but I have about 4 that if I could get them to change their ways I would have the "ideal" classroom! So I told my students since we have been deemed the "bad class" that from now on we would show everyone that we weren't and that we could be the "amazing" class.  I read them the book how full is your bucket and explained to them that even when you are having a bad day you shouldn't let it effect others.  We went over our rules and we picked them apart to insure that everyone had a full understanding of what our classroom rules were.  The students know that when I say give me 5 I need their full attention whether it be in the hall or in the classroom.  I am praying these minor changes will make the rest of my year easier because I can honestly say my first 9 weeks as a teacher was hell.

I'm Baaack!

Sorry I've been away for so long but this teaching thing is INTENSE!!! I can honestly say student teaching didn't prepare me for this.  Some days I feel like I've made a mistake other days I wonder why i didn't become a teacher sooner.

The group of kids I work with are a doozy! I love them all for their individuality and their personalities but I have a few that I often question their home lives... It seems like Mom & Dad don't discipline them at all.  I can be in the middle of a lesson and if I have to call someone out about playing with something in their desk he will be my echo... I have another that is so happy to be a kid he's always trying to do something to keep everyone laughing & smiling; his mom is totally on board with me but it doesn't really seem to phase him because when he comes back the next day it's like nothing happened...I have few who think they are better than the other kids, and then I have those that just think the rules don't apply to them.  I was so shocked that these kids have no manners, when I call their names a few will say yeah?! like I'm getting on their nerves.

None of the kids say yes ma'am which to me is strange "only because I was raised to do so"

They refuse to pay attention while I'm giving directions and it is truly to the point where I find myself repeating myself so much I second guess what I might have said.  Just yesterday I was giving a spelling test and I looked up and a few of the kids were just staring off in space and weren't even taking the test!!!!!

All of my classroom management tactics haven't worked and it's like whenever someone tries to give me a suggestion I hate being that person saying well I've done this or I've done that but it's true...

I pray everyday that the kids will listen and retain all the info needed because being a first year teacher (being black) and working at this type of school where the parents are mostly well to do ... makes things hard for me.  I want my kids to do an amazing job on the bench marks & eog's but I'm terrified that they aren't and I'm going to be the blame..