The End of the TFA Training Wheels

I know, I know. It's been a while since my last post, but it's probably for the best; after all, I didn't want my blog to become a countdown like last year, because honestly this year is a night and day difference from last year at this point. That being said, thank goodness the year is through. The last month seems to always be a little frustrating, because you can always find ways to improve your classroom, and by mid-May, there's not enough focused time in the classroom to try something new and see how it plays out. As a result, I now have a post-it note on my desktop accruing all the details that I want to remember to include for my theoretical classroom next year: things involving behavior management or even long- and short-term planning (because holy crap there is no way I am going to be planning the night before AGAIN in my third year). With the year officially coming to a close I feel like I actually have some energy now to figure out how to solve some of those recurring problems. But it's a battle against the clock, because some crazy phenomenon makes it so that the further into summer you are, the less you remember about those days where you just wanted to quit on the spot.

I think part of the reason why that is is because somehow these kids never get up in arms with me about their grades. In fact about half of them are genuinely surprised when they don't get an F - which scares me a little, because that means that they aren't even recognizing the fact that once in a blue moon they actually tried. And that one time they tried REALLY HARD. It's totally a psychological game that you have to play with these kids and their grades, especially for my Algebra students, who have already failed the class once. I pretty much don't give out F's unless you didn't show up or you didn't ever try to do what I asked, and I think for some of them, getting a D feels like progress to them in such a way that even though they will be taking the class for the third time next year, hopefully they are convincing themselves that they will pass next time for sure. Like I've said before, step one is to convince these kids that they CAN graduate high school. THEN we'll start pushing college. I talk about college as often as I can, but sometimes I'm afraid that it overwhelms my fragile lower-skilled students. In all, for my 9th graders, only 51% Algebra students received a C grade or better from me and in Geometry, 63% passed. I'll have to go back and uncover my grades from last year to see if there was any trend.

The last day of school was certainly different this year compared to last, and honestly I was a little sad to see all the student go. At least, I was sad until I turned around and saw the absolute mess that was left for me to clean in my classroom... because, oh right, I forgot to mention the fact that our custodian in charge of our 9th grade hallway quit (I would too) and we still don't have a replacement. I was surprised at how many students actually came the last day of school and even more surprised with the number of kids who wanted to take a picture with me or say goodbye before they left for the year. One in particular I will keep for a long time, so that I can always remember the good things. Here it is:

Thank you Mr. Bretle, (<-- I know, it kills me too)

For teaching me Precalculus. I honestly enjoyed your class. I didn't talk much but hey I'm a pretty quiet person. Even though I didn't communicate as much as my peers I enjoyed going to class and actually learn. This was my second year taking Precal and I learned way more than the year before, I don't mean to brag but you're a pretty awesome teacher. I believe this is your last year teaching at Richmond High and whatever you end up doing after this program I hope you continue to teach :)

I haven't had a good teacher like you in a while and I truly appreciate all the hard work you put in for students to fully understand math. I always loved math, I wasn't hella good at it but I loved the challenge of math. After taking your class I reconsidered math of some sort of major. What I'm trying to say is that you seriously have a gift LOL as corny as it may sound its the truth. I came to the point of hating math last year to loving it this year. You're an awesome teacher and you should continue teaching :) (Please)

Yours truly,

Patty G

...And THAT is why teaching summer school does not bother me one bit at this point. As I am now officially an alumnus of TFA, I'm kind of excited to do everything my own way :)