The Movie "To Sir with Love" debuted in 197*. If there was ever an inspiring story to become a teacher or not, this was it. Sidney Portier portrayed a new teacher in an urban, low socio-economic area of London. When he found it just about impossible to do his job, he reached out in the only way he could think of to his students. And in the end, it was worth his while. Ultimately, he decided to resign and not go through a similar experience again. Some of his new students came wildly flying into his room, before submitting his resignation, and he tore up the letter. He realized this was where he belonged, and that while it was difficult, these children in this place needed someone like him.
Every year, they come plowing into the room, anxious to start their new school year of learning - NOT! They come for the social life and hanging out with their friends. The teachers never realize the baggage they carry with them right away, but you can be sure it's there. The teachers begin to strategize on getting the kids into a viable routine, and the students fight them every step of the way. The days, weeks and months drag on, but they never give up. They continue to teach them from books and life's experiences in spite of themselves. Teachers have the genuine insight to see in their students, what they can't yet see in themselves.
"Let's start with an ice breaker!", the results of which are meant for the children to get acquainted, but are truly to give the teacher a pathway to their needs. Teachers then assess their academic needs, because they truly need to understand the learning styles of the kids and teach them as individuals. You see, they are not just teachers here. They are parentis in absentia, social workers, psychologists, nutritionists, and on and on. There is no end to the special needs of the urban student. Teachers have to learn to communicate not only in their native languages, which are widely diverse, but must also become a quick study of "street" language and the "urban dictionary". They come from many countries, and are labeled as "bi-lingual". But their languages are attained in this order: Native Language, which they speak at home, English from the street (scary), texting short-hand, and finally the English. Of course, the miracle you are to perform is to take them from here to writing a five paragraph persuasive argument. You are supposed to get them to use "proper" English, so that the state will fund your school to open the following year.
You can't do this job unless you love it and you love them. In addition to their diverse background, their hormones are raging, so what you give them for homework is way down on the priority list. Besides, they actually don't believe that you actually expect them to study, and you want this for them and for their own good.
Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteInteresting start. I had to read over the opening twice before I was able to read it for what it was. At first it seemed too fast and I was going to suggest making it a little more elaborated, but now I understand it. The only bit of critique I have is to take out the sarcastic "Not" in the first sentence of the second paragraph. I think there's another way you can make that sound the way you want it. Maybe something like, "As teachers we think our students come plowing through the doors, eager and anxious to start their new year of learning. But, of course, that is just a dream." But, that's just my suggestion. Do what flows for you :)
-Casey