Hey all...
I am still determined to join Trim Up Tuesday but my life has been super busy! Its that time of year for us teachers! I have been grading papers, looking for a new job (I faxed out like 15 resumes and cover letters yesterday and still need to follow up by mail) and I started tutoring at a boys group home last week. It is so sad to see kids that are 17 years old and cannot barely read. It really breaks my heart. I work with a couple of kids that are all tattooed up that can't even read at a third grade level. I originally took the job because I am planning to take the summer off and want to save up some extra cash to attend a special program but from my first day there, I realized that these kids really need me! They are in a group home and its pretty much the last stop on the block for them! Hopefully, they will be able to change their lives through this program. Most people think I am crazy, but as a teacher I really like working with the population no one wants to deal with. I mean, kids that are intelligent and doing honors work usually have supportive parents to make sure they do what they need to do. Truthfully, the motivated kids are going to make it no matter what teacher they have. I have been recruited to teach honors and people don't get it at all when I tell them I'm not really interested. Hopefully, I will find a job that is a good match for me.
I have definitely have been checking into everyone's blog and will let you know how my job search is going. I am still smoke free. Speaking of smoking, they guy who hired me to work at this facility is a TOTAL smoker! Damn, he leaves and I can smell the stale smoke when he gets back and he smokes A LOT! Think I should tell him about Chantix? He is also a recovered drug addict/alcoholic like me so I know he is not totally opposed to quitting things. Anyway, I need to go but I love reading about all your guys adventures from quitting smoking to cleaning the closets! That is the one thing I love about blogging on here....I have come to love reading about things that I never thought I would be interested in because my fellow quitters are living life and doing stuff like cleaning their closets with no smoke break in between! Besides, after working where I have been working....I am really grateful to be able to read and write. Working with these kids has given me a HUGE dose of gratitude. Gotta run or I will be late for tutoring.
Peace
Diva
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7 comments:
I think it's important that you let these kids hear the kind of thing you said to us, they need to understand what they are capable of giving, that just because their background makes it more difficult to learn doesn't mean it can't be done. They need to understand that there are educators out there that give a damn.
What you are doing Diva brings the world into context, I'm humbled by your spirit and generosity.
Congratulations!!
I can only imagine the high one would get from working with a child that is at a high risk of failing - when he makes it - because you took the time and weren't one of the ones that gave up on him/her. Good for you!
My son is at a risk of failing because of his hearing loss and the delay that it's caused. I know from experience how rare it is to find someone who makes the difference and who is able to get break through and help that child succeed.
As for the closets, just read my comment on Maggie's latest post. I was quite crabby yesterday because I was so fed up with cleaning and not having the smoke breaks were getting to me. It's the only time I ever really still crave a cigarette - when I'm cleaning. Thank, God for my iPod. Now if my family would stop making fun of my singing...
I love your compassion and agree that it's the kids who need the most help that can be the most rewarding. You have a chance to impact lives by what you teach as well as the attitude you bring reminding them that they can learn. That's a very powerful gift to give someone.
When I taught in Japan, I was at the school with kids that were not going to be going to college (high schools are different there than here - there are exams to get into high schools, and what high school you attend determines a lot about the rest of your life), but I had more fun with my kids because of the kinds of things I was able to teach them instead of boring rote memory kinds of information for college exams. I wouldn't have traded schools for the world, even if my kids were a little wilder.
It is great that you're doing something where you make a true difference in someone's life. Not many people can say the same thing.
Diva, the Flo comes from my last name (which I'm not going to give out).
Hey Diva, I'm tagging you
Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
People who are tagged, write a blog post about their own 8 random things, and post these rules.
At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and include their names.
Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’ve been tagged, and to read your blog
Diva, tutoring kids is great. I understand what you say about the motivated ones with encouraging parents. I'm glad there are people like you willing to commit the time and patience to work with these young people.KUDOS to you! and congrats on the non-smoking, too. Keep up the great works!
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