Teachers Don’t Cry
HIGH SCHOOL | LEARNING | APRIL 17, 2013
(I work in a school district known for a high truancy rate, a high dropout rate, gang violence, and drugs. Many of the students are not motivated, but I try my best to engage students.)
Me: “Okay, guys, so for this essay—”
Class: *keeps talking*
Me: “Hey, we need to go over the requirements for—”
Class: *keeps talking*
Student
#1 : *gets up and walks out the door* “Going to the bathroom!”
Me: “Wait! You need a pass!”
Class: *keeps talking*
Me: “This essay is part of the school’s curriculum, and if you don’t do it, you’ll fail this class!”
Class: *keeps talking*
Student
#2 : “Do you ever feel like you’re the teacher in Freedom Writers?”
Me: “No. The students actually did their work in that movie.”