I really do. Anyone who’s taught them for as long as I have will agree. Little children can be the devil. Especially when you’re a new teacher who thinks being “nice” will work. It doesn’t.
Which is why I was surprised at the students I’m working with this semester. I’d long given up trying to “change the world one child at a time.” And having expended myself as an instructor in so many ways with heartbreaking results left me quite the cynic this year. In fact, I swore I wouldn’t put myself through the pain again.
And here I am. Slogging away through algebra with football players whose knowledge base seems to shrink every day. Trying to stress the importance of daily reading to parents whose main priority is to ensure their weekly mani/pedi isn’t neglected. Making flashcards and buying stickers to try to entice the little buggers to learn. But still a bit arrogant in that I’m sure nothing will change.
Ahhh. And then just when you think you’re safe, they start working your way into your heart.
Now that I’m almost done working with the kids, I’ve noticed some have become visibly tense at the though of not receiving tutoring any longer. One asked me what he was supposed to do about college admissions without my help. (No worries, I assured him I’ll still be around.) The football player invited me (in all seriousness and with the best of intent) to see him off to the junior prom in his cream-colored tuxedo along with his family and friends. My first grader started hugging me. And they all started learning things.
It’s really strange. I think I’m falling for them.
i’m with you on the older kids, who can be total brats, but little kids? you don’t like them either?
i love little kids, they crack me up. even the brats.
i think your mistake is being nice. you have to be scary as hell and mean it. the undefined threat also works well. as does punishing the colleagues for the bratty behavior of one kid, as in “ok johnny, since you’re so smart, everyone else but you has to take a pop quiz. pencils everyone!”
and then make johnny sit next to you in front of the class while everyone does the quiz. his classmates will straighten his ass out during recess.
I love little ones. I’m the one cooing the babies in strollers on the subway. They’re so cute when they’re all bundled up. And they’re always so happy.
Okay, I need to stop now.
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Haha, kids can get on your nerves but they grow on you as well. I used to tutor high school math.. heck, I used to BE in high school.
Sometimes it’s all worth it for one or two students who genuinely care.
You have the most amazing profession in the world!
You’re right, FD. Better me than some of the terrible teachers I’ve had!
I agree, and I am 14 years old going into 9th grade. Most kids are a-holes (the guys) or preppy beotches (the girls) and they don’t care about what they are learning. (I do, esp. math, as I am a grade ahead in the subject) It sickens me to see them texting and just lounging around in class when they could be getting work done so they could do the same thing at home. It just is really annoying and sometimes physically hurtful. I have had kids gang up on me and beat me up becuase I am “smart” or something. Good luck with the older kids in your class.