Please Parent Your Children

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 I knew the excitement and joy in my last post would feel very ironic the second I had a bad day with these kids. Today was rough! One thing about middle schoolers is that their behavior is so different depending on the day. Every day is different for every kid. Today just happened to be an off day for the majority of them. Lots of conversations with kids today that clearly have never been told no from their parents. Or they have parents that are just as argumentative and combative as them messaging me defending their child’s actions. 

Teaching is very much a love hate relationship which I get. But the more I develop relationships with these kids and see what kind of people they are, I know they can be better. It just makes me feel so disappointed on these off days that they are choosing to act this way. I just know so many of them are smart and can be successful, so it bothers me when they ruin it for themselves and those around them. I hate punishing them but it feels like that’s all i’m doing. 

I know I have to remember that the specific school I’m at plays a part with behavior. There are many absent parents and extremely terrible and dangerous home situations for a lot of my students. I just want to be a positive part of their life but it’s hard when there hasn’t been any parenting done at home. Especially in my class with lower learners, when behavior is a problem I just feel so guilty for all the kids that needed my help but I was preoccupied. 

And I know none of this matters as much as I’m feeling like it does because I don’t remember any of my middle school teachers or what they were like. I just have such a strong desire to be a good teacher for these kids. They are so deserving of adults that are putting in effort for their future. I just wish they’d realize what I’m trying to do for them. Tomorrow I’m probably going to have one of those fun talks with them about the “why” behind me and my job. I keep telling myself they won’t care what I know until they know how much I care so hopefully they’ll catch on soon. 

On a positive note, I am so excited for volleyball to start! My open gyms start next week and I’m so excited to meet the girls that want to play! 

Also let’s me make a list of positives from this school year so far because there are many that I haven’t celebrated enough.

- Students have been making me drawings so I have an art wall in my room now

- Some kids have been giving me hugs every day

- They ask me questions about life and how I was able to go to college

- The staff at the middle school are my favorite people and are such a good support system

- Students were freaking out so excited when I participated in a game at the pep assembly

Anyways, I need to chill and stop worrying so much about these kids’ future. I just want them to be good people and start building a foundation to have a good career someday. I know that life will take them where they need to go, but I hope that they’ll be okay.


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