It’s official. I am “a mean
teacher.” I never wanted to be a “mean teacher,” and to be fair, I’m not mean
to every student, just the ones that won’t follow basic instructions, argue
with classroom procedures, and generally prevent other students from learning.
For those students, I am “mean” because I choose to teach rather than waste
precious instructional time bickering with them.
This
week was pretty good in regards to building trust and motivation in my
students. My juniors have been having a blast interpreting lines from Oedipus at Colonus, the prelude to Antigone. They’re learning a whole slew
of new vocabulary related to emotions by selecting, defining, and applying
different words to the same lines. Not only do these kids get the opportunity
to learn and apply new vocabulary, they also get the chance to practice reading
and speaking with purpose and comprehension. The students who expected to sit
and act as “audience” members were given the task of “directing” the speakers
by asking them to reread certain lines with different emotions or have the
actors respond differently to show multiple interpretations. It’s been pretty
great, and a few students have shown genuine disappointment when class is over.
One student actually made a suggestion to improve the activity by proposing
that we incorporate a “freeze” direction and allow students to “tag in and tag
out” of scenes.
This
successful series of lessons and activities came with a price, though. The day
after we began reading and interpreting the script, I had written an assignment
on the board which ensued in an argument about being given homework on a
Friday, especially a Friday before
the football team’s first playoff game. The contentious student refused to
write down the assignment, and insisted “someone else will do it for me.” I was
annoyed, but firmly explained that he needed to write it down before we
continued reading and interpreting the script that day, just in case we ran out
of time. I also explained that my lesson plan included time to begin, and
possibly finish the assignment in class, if everyone followed instructions and
didn’t hold up the class with arguments over homework. The student smirked at
me, looked around the classroom, and folded his arms across his still-empty
desk. Everyone else looked at me to see what I would do, and at that moment, I
realized I needed to set some very real standards or I would never keep this
class under control.
I
wrote the student a referral and started to send him to the in-school
suspension room for disciplinary action. He began to argue, telling me that I
was being unfair, and if I wrote him a referral, he wouldn’t be allowed to play
in the football game. The rest of the students were silent, furiously
scribbling down the assignment while sneaking glances between the football
player and me. One student began to say something about how the team “needed
him this weekend,” but stopped when another student said, “Then he shoulda
written down the homework.” I was so proud and annoyed and altogether confused
by the mix of emotions I was feeling, but once he was escorted out, the lesson
flowed smoothly, every student participated, and when the bell rang, I
overheard two students arguing about how Oedipus’ lines should have been
interpreted and read. The students didn’t have time to begin the homework in
class that day, but I will certainly remind them that I am happy to incorporate
suggestions and that my lesson plans include time to work as long as they don’t
waste time or challenge my agenda.
I
wish this could have been the end of the incident, but once word got around
that I had (finally) written a referral and disciplined a key football player,
I was approached by several students and staff members, all pleading that I
renege on the referral. It was truly amazing to hear so many people tell me that
I needed to reconsider my actions. Had I not taught several students some important skills in regards to
reading, listening, speaking, critiquing, interpreting, and applying
vocabulary? If I hadn’t removed the student (who has a history of disrupting
class and arguing with teachers), would anyone have learned those skills while
gaining important background knowledge for the required reading? Although I
stood my ground, I questioned whether or not I should have considered the
school culture more before potentially endangering the success of the football
team, a source of pride for the staff and students.
I’m
almost positive I did the right thing, but I am prepared for a few scenarios
come Monday: 1) If the student is not allowed to play, and the team wins, then
I will not have any more problems from him. 2) If the student is allowed to
play, regardless of a win or loss, he will never listen to me again. 3) If the
student is not allowed to play, and the team loses, everyone will hate me.
I
really hope they win, but I also really hope they didn’t let him play. Monday
might be a rough one.
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