I have a first period student whose year has been very hard, as only ninth grade can be, and who has caused me some real stress. I have been talking with mom a lot, and moved the child to sit right next to me in class. I have been applying a lot of what we have been talking about re: the use of English and all that, trying to get better at the CI, which is to say that if a child doesn’t understand, I am partially responsible and must pull my weight. The editorial comment is that there must be a ton of us who alienate kids by going too fast, but then blame it on the kid. Anyway, here is a note I got from this student after class today. I would rather have this note than just about anything:
Dear Mr. Slavic,
I think I really am improving. I understood most of what we were talking about in class. I was slower on some things, but then I caught on. I am no longer mad and annoyed that I can’t understand what you are saying. Thank you for slowing down and writing things down on the board. It helps me out a lot.
I’m sorry for being so hard to handle in your class, and making it harder for you to teach. I think what you are doing with teaching is and would be an amazing change.
Thank you,
S