We have a new student at our school. Not in my class, but in the Language Arts class next door to mine...Well, he's not new exactly. This is his 3rd time in our school. He's turning 16. Apparently he attended here in 6th grade like normal, then got in some "judicial trouble", left for awhile, then he came back as a 7th grader. The Language Arts teacher that just got him in her class, had him the year he was in 7th grade the first time. That was four years ago. I guess he got in some more "judicial trouble" and then came to our school in August this school year and spent the last semester in our Alternative Learning classroom. And for some reason, they exited him out of that, and back into regular classes. So, now he's turning 16 and he's in the 7th grade. Granted, I am sad for him, as he has had a very horrible life thus far and needs a lot of guidance and a positive role model. But I'm not sure it's exactly fair (or safe) for this boy (almost a young man) to be in a class full of 12 year olds. He not only has 4 years on them, but he's done time. And a lot of the kids (especially the boys) think that's pretty darn cool. How is a teacher supposed to handle that? He's in a different place develepmentally, physically, emotionally and maturity wise (or at least you hope so). A couple of us teachers were joking yesterday that he might ask, "where's the student parking?" here soon. There's no student parking! This is middle school! I don't have the answer, as I think he should be in school and hopefully he will finish and graduate or at least get his GED. But, I don't know if the best place for a troubled 16 year old is in a class of 7th graders. Anyone have any ideas?
Saturday, January 06, 2007
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1 comments:
that's a tough one alright. I think it helps to look at all points of view...
From the parent's point of view, they might see him as having missed a couple years of his life, and that he is not ready for high school-that maybe he would just drown in a place like that.
I think it is fair to wonder as a teacher if middle school is the most appropriate place for him...
But without knowing what it was he did (maybe it was a bunch of vandalism or theft, and he just got into the wrong crowd?) it is difficult to make that assessment. Also, without knowing where he is academically, socially, emotionally, and physically, just makes it even more difficult.
You're just kind of left to trust the administration that he is in the best place, and all you can do is give him some bright and loving smiles, because you might have him next year!! ;)
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