Observations of a young high school teacher... Part II

With the end of the first semester coming to a close, I find myself in the same position as every other teacher: I feel very strongly about how much I want to hurt my students, and that the Christmas break couldn't have come any sooner. Well actually, yes, it could have. Don't get me wrong. I love my job. I couldn't have been more blessed. God has been amazing, but I still find myself on the brink of insanity. I haven't had my "crying and wollowing in self-pity" moment yet that every teacher seems to have their first year. I keep thinking that if it hasn't happened yet, then next semester I am in for a doozy.
My students continue to make me laugh constantly, but I find myself becoming more stern, and impatient, especially with my sophmores. I keep thinking, "WHY wasn't I a b**** to them the first few weeks, THEN get easier on them?" I am paying for it now, but I still love them.
My stance on people watching and high schools still remains firm. High schools really are fertile ground for watching our future leaders, doctors, teachers, and hobos in the making.
Students have this innate ability to stand exactly in the MIDDLE of the hallway, or walkway, no matter where they go. Their group of 20 people must block everyone from getting where they need to go, and who cares if it makes everyone late. It drives me mad! I try to tell them to move to a different location, but they just look at me with this odd question on their faces. I once again have to flash that little piece of plastic that proves that I do in fact have some authority in this place, however small the amount may be. They don't even consider moving to the side, or waiting until they are seated in their desks. "No. It must be right now, in the middle of the hall, for everyone to see, because I am more important than you and your desire to NOT be late to class." Really? REALLY?!
Do you ever notice how quickly trends spread in a school? True, this is old news, but WOW. You don't realize until you are in the heart of it all, and being on the other side of the education spectrum. Well, there's one thing the movies had right: It only takes one cool kid to like it and the rest will follow. Take TOMS shoes for example. We all know TOMS, at least the twenty-somethings do. Tomorrow's Shoes right? The shoe that is covering the feet of people who live without everyday, and it happens because we buy one pair, and another is sent out for free so technically we are buying two pairs of shoes. As amazing as this program is, these students have NO CLUE what it does. They just like them. Let's face it. They are not the fanciest shoe out there, but by God, they sure are the most comfortable. One student started wearing them, and I can even name her, and the rest followed like sheep. Hundreds of kids wear them every day. When I ask them if they know that TOMS is a charity, they look at me with that giant question mark, and they...are...clueless. I am floored, and they are once again welcomed into the world outside of them. "I just thought they were cool." Ugh. No matter if they knew or not, TOMS are stilling making their way around the world because of the students, so I can't complain. There is another trend making its way around here. This one is not so...awesome. It's a boy thing. They love to wear these name brand socks, like Nike, Adidas, etc., layered with their high top tennis shoes. I am talking three layers of socks with the brand clearly shown on each layer. Outside of black and white socks, no other colors are allowed. I keep thinking, "Aren't your feet hot?" I mean it's ridiculous, and incredibly unattractive, but I know we all had those trends growing up, the ones we look back on and think about how much we WEREN'T thinking. The UGGs and tiny dresses are making their way too. They wear them together, and it's AWFUL. Honestly, I think they wear the UGGs because they don't have any other kind of boots that you are supposed to wear, which is another clothing trend all over right now. Not the UGGs though. Please, not the UGGs.
I guess I can quit dogging on my students and talk about me for a second. (Speaking of looking outside of our own little worlds. haha.) My first semester has been a learning experience. A great one, a tough one, a long one, but a learning one nonetheless. I have learned to remind myself that they are just teenagers, and they are entitled to act that way. We were all teenagers, and we had the attitude, and the self-centeredness. We couldn't see past our mirrors and make up long enough to see that our actions affect others. Teenagers will be teenagers. We grow out of it eventually, some take longer than others. When they don't get something, or their common sense doesn't seem to be on that day, I have to take a deep breath and remind myself that they are young, and stupid. Plano, Texas is a very unrealistic place to live. People still walk and ride their bikes to school. Kids are given BMWs on their 16th birthdays. A rude awakening is headed their way. In a way I can't blame the kiddos. This is what they have known. I love being able to be sarcastic with them, but even sarcasm we have to be careful with. Their self-esteem is SO fragile. I have students who do things, have done things, are living through things that I NEVER had to deal with growing up. I didn't even know people that dealt with what they do. (And people wonder why I don't want kids.) I love that I am young, and they see me that way. I have some students who tend to trust me more than the others. They feel it's easier to relate to me. They aren't stupid. They know I am not THAT much older than them. I have the "camp counselor" mentality with them more often then not. I am sure they think I am bipolar sometimes. One day, EVERYTHING makes me laugh, and the next, I don't put up with any of it. I want to be there for them. I want to show them love, Christ's love. I work in a very cultural diverse environment. As much as I love it, I know that my students need Christ more than any of us could imagine. I pray I show them love as it should be.
I have also learned that it is okay to be mean to them if you have to be. They will get over it. I hate that feeling after I have to yell at them or get on to them. I feel like they hate me and they will never like me again. But my job is not for them to like me. I am learning that slowly, but surely. Teenagers size you up the moment they see you. You can see them do it. The wheels are turning, and they are trying to decide if you mean business. If you have to put your foot down, then do it and don't fear the outcome. You can't worry about what they think. For one thing, they are 14, 15, and 16 years old. Who cares what they think?! They know nothing. They are so deeply concerned about others and what they think about them, that they forget that one day, it won't matter. Oh teenagers. To be young again. NOT!
Well, I must wrap this up. My hands hurt, and I have stuff to do. It is the Friday before we are done for Christmas break (Thank ya LAWD!), and I refuse to take work home with me.
Merry Christmas everyone!