Day 35: Better than expected

Today went better than I had hoped. The kids I'm teaching are really responding to my lessons. The only drawback is that the majority of them forgot their homework that I had assigned the night before. Two of the students became highly upset, which was hard to see. Their "regular" classroom teacher came down really hard on them. But well, it's her class so there was little I could do. I decided that this Thursday, I'll assign an extra credit assignment that will be worth just as much as their forgotten homework. This way everything will even out. What can I say, I have a heart of gold. =] However, I did learn the dangers of the teacher's lounge today. So negative....wow. Threatened to suck the life right out of me...I had to eat super fast and get the hell out of there before I become bitter and despondent, just like the rest of them. It's really sad to see some people who stick to teaching forever and ever just because it's easy. They become survivors instead of effective teachers.... I hate to see that, both for the students and the teacher. Who wants to live like that? Not to mention that it's affecting the outcome of students throughout the land. It's one thing to hate you're job if you work in retail or for the post office or something....but to hate something that directly affects the future of precious children....that's something different all together. I actually heard one teacher today make the comment that some kids just can't learn. Oh yes they can...you just have to be willing to reach deep down inside you and find someway to connect with them. Yeah, it's a lot harder than running off a worksheet and telling them to shut up and sit down (which, by the way, my classroom teacher actually SAYS)...but in the end it's worth it.

The rest of the week, I'll be tutoring a young boy in reading. He's so bright...he just isn't reading on the right level (he's in 4th grade and he's reading at a 2nd grade level). If you can read, you can do anything, in my opinion. Not to mention, from here on out, if he's not reading at grade level he's going to be at a HUGE disadvantage. His mom is wanting me to continue to tutor him until he gets out of school and even through the summer....to earn some $. Heck yes I will! I could do that all day everyday. Not to mention it will boost the ole' resume. I am so blessed that my purpose includes helping others...makes me feel all fuzzy inside.