I have come to a shocking reality in recent days that may seem like a no brainer to most. There are some days when my students will hate me, and I am OK with that. To be honest it is a daily struggle for me, no one enjoys not being liked, and I work very hard to maintain the respect of my students, but I have come to the reality that sometimes I am doing what is best for the students in the long run when they hate me the most. The funny thing is in Middle School no feelings last very long, good or bad, so the hatred is usually short lived.
The most recent thing I am hated for is communicating to parents to be more involved in the students technical lives (computers, ipods, video games etc...). For the students that means an invasion of their privacy that is long over due in some cases. I have no problem being hated for this reason because I have seen first hand the devastation that can be caused by letting this go unmonitored. This problem is worth every ounce of hatred that is tossed my way if it protects even one student from starting down this slippery path. I know that sounds a bit extreme but I truly mean it in this case. Parents need to get involved and be proactive or they are not going to like what the students are involved in and will have to be reactive eventually. It is not a matter of "if" it is a matter of "when"!
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I think at times adults worry too much about being a "friend" to the child. Not that I am accusing Mr. I of doing this. However, the best way you can be a friend to the child (at any age) is to, at times, be the "bad guy." I have realized that this may seem terrible at the time. However, later on the child will greatly appreciate it. I know from experience. I had a terrible middle school experience, not because of the teachers or parents, but because of my choices and attitude. My parents kept plugging away, praying for me, and being the "bad guys." However, now that I look back on it, I wouldn't change it for the world. My parents seemed terrible at the time, but now that I look back on it I am glad that they put boundaries on my life and choices. I wouldn't have made it otherwise. I guess that is why, at times, I don't mind being the "bad guy." Hopefully, someday, they will look back and appreciate the rules and regulations we put on them. Plus the overall goal is to glorify God and do what He asks of us. I would rather please God than please parents, students, or the school.
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