The acceptance of public high school

In today’s society, there are many social problems that plague our schools today. Students face many challenges like depression and suicide, homelessness, violence and abuse in the home, broken family structure, lack of structure and discipline, no boundaries set by parents, lack of parental supervision, and in some homes just overall lack of parenting. Our kids live in a world that is constantly changing where the adult community transmits mixed messages. The answer to “How do I deal with the child that appears in my classroom?” is twofold: one is inward the other outward. I must focus on my vocation of teaching and know myself while at the same time be open to pursue professional education and receive suggestions from peers and supervisors.

More than any other job, teaching requires that you have your self-esteem in check, that you are comfortable with your flaws and shortcomings, that you can stand being hated and laughed at, that you can bounce back, and that you are not friends with your students. From this will flow other good habits that you create for yourself in your classroom environment. From the last chapter, we learned that you must understand your preferred style of learning and what Multiple Intelligence(s) are strongest for you. This impacts how you teach and help someone who has problems. From this confidence flow many decisions you make in your day. The first starts the day you introduce yourself to your students. You must create boundaries in your classroom with clear rules and consequences. Show that you believe in fair play, that you base your teaching on a value system and explain that value system.You must also be a role model for them as this may be the only good one they may encounter. Repeat the importance of character building and state that you do not tolerate gossip or others to be put down or criticized. Speak in a low voice even if your classroom is loud and find a way that works for you to quite down a noisy group of students. I will set goals and high expectations for my students and base my curriculum on Christian values. The peace and confidence that you model will be your greatest ally. Arrive early so that you see which students are dropped off very early and which leave late. This might give you clues. Make your classroom a peaceful, beautiful safe haven for all. This implies that you should have nice décor, keep your area clean. It culminates in inspiring the students to take ownership of their area. Finally, if in your classroom violence erupts, you notice students that might be depressed or act unruly immediately ask for help from your school counselor and dean of students. There is nothing wrong with inviting the dean to sit in one of your more rowdy classes. The confidence and classroom control that you demonstrate will avert many potential problems. I drew from Dr. Wong’s books called “The first days of School” and “how to be an effective teacher” to arrive at some of my opinions.

In today’s world, change is the only constant. You should read study and learn. There is a great deal of free literature to help teachers become Master Teachers. Early on, when I was learning to teach at a High School, I always read all the flyers and books the head of school kept in her office. There were so many but could be read quickly during lunch. They gave me ideas on how to be effective in the classroom. The first basic tip I implemented was to get to know my students background as much as possible. The second was to make sure I made myself available to students who needed help and to help them showing concern, compassion and then reaching out in days that followed. While it is hard and draining at times, once you develop the reputation of being fair, firm, and compassionate and a good listener, you can be effective in your vocation. Helping students is about being interested in “their” lives and not needing any reward in return for your dedication. There is no way you can learn to deal with all of the social problems that exist because “you can never really understand” their situation. You aren’t in their lives so don’t pretend that you are. The new school where I currently teach strongly believes in professional education. We have five professional education days set aside each year to help us learn more about social and academic needs of our students. Additionally, in the summer, they invite us to be mentors for 10 days in the Network for community outreach programs. These experiences help us to grow and learn more about our students.

One example of what I would do is what I did when I taught from August to December at a Catholic High School. I taught New Testament for a semester while the permanent teacher went on maternity leave. Every day, I arrived before 7am and left around 4:30 Each day, I allowed one of the students to sit quietly in my classroom while I graded and until they were officially allowed to enter the classrooms. By mid semester, she mustered her courage to see me after school to confide in me about a personal situation. After helping her by merely listening and helping her solve her problem, others became permanent fixtures in my class after school, at lunch and right before homeroom. I even had the opportunity to help a girl who was severely depressed. While I did not “solve” her problem, I was the first step to her recognizing she needed help. I developed close relationships with the guidance counselors and by year end; they recommended I pursue studies and counseling.

In conclusion, we are called to be good role models. One way to accomplish this is by being people of courage and integrity, confident in our beliefs and who we are and always be open to learn and grow. The school where I teach says “We must educate towards a social awareness that impels others to act.” This means I must be aware of the needs of others and work towards understanding how to best teach the child that appears in our classroom.