Last week I had my first 504 meeting in long time. Maybe 3 years. And I remember why I don't like them. It was for one of my students whom I like very much. I already know about his issues but I've never had a problem with him. As a matter of fact he is a great student. I think that he has been tremendous in class and he works well with others. I don't get why he has his issues.
My guy has ADHD and turrets. You could only imagine the thoughts I got when I received the letter about him. After a couple of weeks with him I realize that I had his older sister a couple of years ago. She was a great student too. I also figured out that after parents night where he got his issues from when his dad high five'd him when he thought that his son was a trouble maker. After that night, the next day as a matter of fact, he came up to me and told me how his dad always embarrasses him. I understood right away he feared his dad enough so that he would make his dad think he was a clown so as not to get in trouble. Sounds crazy I know but I understood it rather quickly the way that dynamic worked.
Anyways back to the meeting. I walked a little late and the first thing I saw was my student hanging his head low in shame. That really upset me. The other teachers were just railing against him and had nothing positive to say about him. I was getting so angry I could feel my skin getting hot. When it had been my turn to speak, I made my student hold his head up and I told everyone what a great student he is. He started to smile and then I laid the boom on everyone and made him laugh. I could tell that he felt assured I was on his team and was going to help him with anything. Then I noticed this really thick book he was reading. "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich", World History. I realize just then I was doing something right. It ain't no light reading....
3 comments:
Andre, That's awesome! A proud moment for him, and one for you. I've had similar situations. Last year when I got my student list, I had a boy who had lit a big fire in the trailor park where he lives, jumped out of the moving school bus, and broke his leg on the playground. The other teachers said, "good luck with R." I just laughed and said I would make my own judgements. Well, long story short, R had a great year with me. He was very active, but I tried to help him channel it in a positive direction. He made growth, no he's not at GL, but he improved. And he hardly got in trouble at all. I'm sorry to say, this year was a lot worse for him. He was already suspended and now I found out today, sent to live with his grandma in another city. I wish there were more teachers like you. Kris
Good call on building up your guy instead of joining the "let's beat him down bandwagon" at the 504 meeting. I think we should always give students the benefit of the doubt, unless of course, we see them commit a crime, but that's another story! Anyway, your comment about the boys book reminded me of the book The Alchemist, by Paulo Coehlo. In that story, a young shepherd is advised to carry with him a large, bulky book because it will both act as a good pillow and it will take longer to read. I wonder if your guy adhered to that principle when he chose his book. Maybe he travels a lot? I just thought I'd share the connection I'd made to your post.
I agree with Kris and Ish, you did the right thing and the honest thing from your point of view. Kids need people who are on their side, who see them as real people, and care for them for who they are.
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