Dear Students
- Dear Alex: please sit down; forget distracting the class, you’re distracting me!
- Dear Leo: I’m so sorry you got kicked in the stomach on the bus to school. It’s 7th hour so the pain has faded but now you are distracted thinking about your bus ride home.
- Dear Grady: the sub was wrong when she said you were a terrible person- you are bright and funny and I love having you in my class.
- Dear Lucy: nobody ever returns phone calls or emails, is anyone home taking care of you?
- Dear Carson: I see you trying so hard even with your broken glasses; I wish I could take you to the eye doctor.
- Dear Kale: thank you for the three-minute basketball lessons during passing period; I’m so glad you have something you love.
- Dear Alexis: you are SO SMART! You don’t need me to hold your hand during the entire assignment, trust me.
- Dear Randi: no matter how many times I talk to you- you still have outbursts in class. What am I missing?
- Dear Darby: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD QUIT BRINGING SLIME TO SCHOOL. THANK YOU.
- Dear Emily: I take it personally when you sing and dance while I am talking; if you are going to ignore me, please do it discreetly.
- Dear Isaiah: thank you for telling me that I was the best teacher’s assistant you’ve ever had. Even if I’m really the teacher.
- Dear Danny: the first time I lead class alone your behavior was so bad that I cried in the shower that night.
- Dear Lilly: every time marriage comes up in a class discussion you warn everyone that when you get married then your husband might start beating you. You're only thirteen- I guess fairy tales died young for you.
- Dear Eli: you have so much energy! Seriously, I want to make you go run laps before you come into class. At least you are smiling while you’re bouncing off the walls.
- Dear Students: I’m trying so hard- thank you for coming to school today.
-All names are pseudonyms that represent real students walking into the classroom every day.
Bailey, thank you for giving me a laugh in a time of need. Thank you for reminding me why this job is so worthwhile when it comes to students. The individuality you capture in these students makes me realize the importance of this profession and how all students are unique. What I love about your piece is the genuine connection you have with these students. Even if it's not the best (e.g. Danny), you are truly making an effort to be a part of their lives. Something I commend you on is your outlook on these students. Not falling into the stigma of child depravity, you see the promise of these individuals. Looking to Grady, you know that these students are transformative. My favorite student response is your last one: "I'm trying so hard." Thank you for not giving up, Bailey. You are an amazing teacher, regardless of students with slime. Thank you for this deep and personal piece.
ReplyDeleteBailey, thank you for sharing this poem with us. I love that you relied both on humor and sincerity in this piece. I can tell you care about your students so much, even when they're driving you crazy! Thank you for being so genuine in your comments to each student; this is feedback they either need or would love to hear. I particularly enjoyed your note to Randi. You asked, "What am I missing?" Instead of blaming him for acting out in class, you think about what you can do. I love that mentality; it's just one of many reasons you will be an amazing teacher!
ReplyDeleteBailey,
ReplyDeleteI loved this! I was truly moved when I heard you read this for the first time and I am feeling the same way as I read it again. You are able to touch on the feelings that many of us are experiencing for the first time as we interact with each of our students. I love your notes to Lucy and Randi, those two seemed especially raw and from the heart. I think I was so moved by them because it reminds me that our students come from all kinds of backgrounds and we need to remember that as teachers. By remembering that we will be able to explore different ways to help them each individually. I loved your mixing of humor and heartfelt letters throughout this, it made it such an interesting read! You truly care about your students and anyone who reads this will be able to see that! Thanks for sharing these with us!
Bailey,
ReplyDeleteThank you, I just about died laughing even after repeated readings, I think you really captured a great deal of our frustration with some of our students on a day to day bases as well as some of the heartbreak we feel. I've come to conclude teaching is as close as one can get to being a parent with out giving birth or adopting; it's equal parts love, frustration, struggle, heartbreak, and exhilaration when it clicks.
Dear Bailey,
ReplyDeleteYour letter to every single one of your students is so creative. It is so precious because you have been with your students for 7 weeks now and you have picked out something special about each student. That is something that teachers want to strive and accomplish: creating a special bond/connection to the students. If you read each little note to each student, I think they would laugh and probably agree with you. I believe that it is something they would enjoy hearing. It may even build your relationship with them.
In the letter, I can definitely hear your voice and your humor and that just makes this letter a bit more unique and special to you.
Thank you for sharing this letter and being honest in it.