Teaching, pedagogy, street knowledge

Edutainer

I am in my fifteenth year as a teacher.

I’ve taught summer school for twelve years.

I was a sub for three years, off and on.

This past summer, I taught elementary summer school. Sigh. It pays better.

After the end of the first day, the most social, disruptive, aggressive, and “sweet elementary” student and I had a conversation in my office. My office is the hallway.

I asked him what’s up? Are you good? Do you need me to be more attentive? He moved away, and I slowly followed and let him know I was a few steps behind.

He stopped at a chair and leaned against it. I asked him what I could do to help.

He mumbled something.

“I’m sorry, but I really don’t hear well. Please speak up so I can give your words the attention they deserve.”

This whole time he wouldn’t look at me.

Then he let out, “I’ll kill you.”

That was fun.

I took two slow steps forward. This was my turf, and I was claiming it. But I made sure he saw me approach.

“You know, I would almost respect you saying that,” I started. I had to hook him. He had no affect, so I’m not sure it worked. “If you’d look me in the eye and speak so I could hear you. ”

He still looked away.

“Listen, I will always look you in the eye and speak so you can understand me. I respect you that much, and you matter that much.”

There was one of those pauses students think teachers hate. These pauses let me know something just landed.

“Let’s go back inside the class,” I nodded and led the way.

By the end of summer school, he had the longest rap sheet in the school. He had countless Title IX referrals. There was evidence reviewed on cameras, allegedly. He spoke to younger children on the bus in ways he shouldn’t have.

I know what you’re wondering, and yes, I did report the threat. I knew how it would sound. There were eyerolls and sighs.

But when he was in my class, he could just be.

I didn’t even do anything.

I hope he has sorted through some issues. He likely needs more support. I made sure the admin knew that.

Oh, and that admin was one of my former students, so I know she took care of it.