I enjoy ruminating with a hot beverage. This is especially true when the crisp air of autumn arrives. The epitome of cozy is warm socks, a thick blanket, and a hot beverage. All three can be enjoyed either on the couch or sitting on top of my freshly made bed. Today I am writing this under just such cozy conditions.
It's the day before Thanksgiving and all through the house, nothing is stirring... Oh, wait, wrong holiday. My husband is very much stirring. As I enjoy my quiet stillness, my husband doesn't stop moving. It's one of the things I find endearing about him. Today as I enjoy the cozy comfort inside, Bill has been working in the yard. Bill's work ethic is strong. Mine has gotten less strong as I've gotten older.
I've continued to substitute teach and with each assignment, I get a new perspective of what it's like to teach students in today's world. I'm still learning how to adapt my "style" as I try to learn from each experience.
In one high school class, the teacher left specific instructions that phones were to be placed in a central station before class and were picked up as they changed classes. When I made this request to the students they looked at me as though I had three heads. Not one student stood up to comply. Of course, the students said the teacher doesn't require phones to be collected. Which begs the question, "Why was this specifically spelled out in her instructions to me?" and, "Why was there a place hanging on the wall to accommodate cell phones?" I simply said, "I'm sorry if this isn't what you are used to, but your teacher's instructions for today are clear". And I told them that we would handle this as part of the roll call. With each child indicating their presence, I simply asked "Do you have a cell phone," and then I asked them to bring it to the front. It was somewhat surprising that by handling it this way they complied. I think it was when they were asked as an individual that the group non-compliance mentality lost some of its effect.
Was that a battle I necessarily wanted to fight? I don't know. When I was a student we "passed notes". Today, they use cell phones to text. I think the difference is that our note-passing was covert and not so unapologetically overt as cell phone usage is today. It surprises me how students are willing to blatantly communicate disinterest to the person trying to engage them.
I secretly regretted choosing to follow the teacher's instructions regarding cell phones. This is for a few reasons, the first being that I set myself up for battle the very first thing. I set myself up to be a clear "enemy". In addition, I did not realize that there was another teacher who was taking charge of the instruction.
The notes gave directions for what the students were to do individually. When the literacy specialist came in she simply said, "I'm the literacy specialist, I work with students in this class." In my other experiences, the specialist takes students aside to work with them individually. I expected the same from this specialist and I gave the students instructions (per the lesson plans). I thought that she would seek out the students that were struggling. To my surprise, and truthfully to my embarrassment, the specialist proceeded to pass out books to the students and told them to open the books to a certain page. She then began to read the chapter, asking the students to follow along. She stopped periodically to engage students in discussion and to recommend that they make a note of certain quotes for the projects that they were working on.
If I had understood that this was the specialist's class I would have taken a back seat immediately. Instead, I felt that I had put myself into a power play with her. I think her expectation was that I would simply take attendance and leave the rest to her. That is what I wish I had done. I feel foolish, to be honest. But, I also understand how I made that error. My lesson from that is I should ask them specifically specialist what their role is and what they need from me.
I should mention that the specialist did a great job of engaging the students. They participated when she stopped for discussion, and they asked questions when they didn't understand. I just have to repeat that if I had understood the protocol I would have stepped aside immediately. I'm still sick about how that went down. I feel I stepped on her toes and that I acted foolishly. It's funny how working with teenagers can bring out my underlying insecurities.
There is one more reason I regret the cell phone decision. It is one that I think shines a light on something bigger than simply what is expected in the classroom. During class, one phone that was set to silent vibrate rang almost incessantly. When I heard it I struggled with how (or if) I should handle this. My concern was that this may have been an adult family member who desperately needed to speak to their child. Ultimately, a student asked to use the restroom and as he was leaving stopped to get his phone, which I thought was entirely appropriate. Later when he returned he again received a call and politely asked the teacher leading the class if he could step out in the hall to take the call. This reminds me that I have no idea what real life is like for any of these students. I have no idea what sort of home life situations require the student to be able to take a call when it comes in.
It reminds me that assumptions about the appropriateness of such things as allowing students access to their phones are likely skewed. This includes my own assumptions. Once again my myopic view of the world with the flawed assumptions is exposed.
I can't help but learn from all of this.
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