A Seed Doesn't Flower Overnight

So I haven't blogged in awhile because all I could think of to blog about were negative. I hate whining and complaining because that gets you absolutely no where. So here is a recap of all that has happen since I last blogged

1. Salary cut

2. Homework completion rate almost dismal

3. Test failures

4. Being fussed out by a parent

5. 2 Schedule/class changes

6. Epic failure of giving a test when i was absent

7. Being micro-managed

All these things plus discipline and immaturity levels have made work a dreadful place to go. So instead of quitting which i definitely contemplated, I tried to make changes that would make things happen the way I wanted instead of allowing things to happen to me. So here is the list of things that changed in my classroom

1. Reading assignments are given twice in different forms (review questions, summaries, etc)

2. Parents are called immediately by their child when they do not turn in homework

3. Progress reports go home weekly

4. Quizzes are also daily

As a result, homework turn in rate has increased significantly as well as the amount of studying that is put in on the home front. I just need to figure a way to transfer class performance to assessment performance.

Teaching is difficult. I have read several articles about the first year experience and they are even an understatement (at least for the demographic I work with). Its hard being so young and teaching kids how to become respectable young men, instilling in them a work ethic, and making them find value and purpose in their education. Most of these things I do not recall having to learn at their age so it is difficult for me to understand the disconnect. I am learning to be patient but not complacent with where they are. The biggest difficulty is overcoming how to help those who don't want or know they need the help.