I haven’t counted how many weeks until this new school year is over. Why bother?
I will say, though, I’m having a much better experience. Last year at this time, I was wailing like a baby. Misery was my middle name. This year, I actually have a lot of likable students. Maybe it’s the age. They’re 7th graders, mostly 12 going on 13, so maybe some of those weird hormones haven’t kicked in yet. They’re still ‘cute’ and naive and open. They’re not mean or violent. I really like them. They seem more like ‘kids.’ One little guy even said, which I thought was too cute, “I’m a good child.” Just the fact that he referred to himself as a child endeared me to him. Precious. Oh sure, I still have to deal with setting and enforcing guidelines for discipline, but these kids “LET ME.” Yeppers, it’s got to be a mutual thing. I’m liking that they will be quiet when I want them to be, and will do the assignments…although many are still struggling academically, but at least I can work with a group that’s not putting up a ton of resistance or sabotaging my efforts with bad behavior. Thank you God for looking out for me.
I keep wondering if I’m dreaming. I know I’m grateful for the change. I was honestly about to ditch this whole teaching business after last year’s experience, but it looks like I can hang through this school year.
