Random Tid Bits

1. Part of me thinks everyone should work retail at some point in their life. Even if it's just a summer job. 

You may be wondering why I'm saying this?

I learned how to deal with people more when I worked at ShopKo behind a jewelery counter for a summer, than I have as a teacher. I'm talking about how to deal with rude people. As a teacher I have some rude students, but it's nothing compared to working retail. When I have rude students I think I deal with them in way as if to turn that negative energy into a positive.

We have a few people that work right inside the front door at my work. I walk in and say, "Hi!" :) or "Good morning!" :) All I get back is silence. I know their desks just happen to be there, but if they worked retail in the past they'd know that it's nice and important to say, "Hi!" to anyone that walks in the door. At first I thought I did something to piss them off. Other people have experienced the same thing. I know it's not me. I'm the type that says, "Hi!" when I see someone. I say, "Bless you!" when someone sneezes. I walk in the door at home and say, "How was your day?" Life is too short just to be grumpy. I find it awkward when people are silent. How do you feel about this? Part of me wonders if I over analyze things though. 


2. I have to say that I'm ready for the semester to be over. I have one student that is very demanding. She doesn't make decisions on her own. It's 50 questions kind of a day. Yes my job is to teach her. It's just that I start to feel like she's taking up other student's time. I have politely said, "Can you go back to your desk; just while I answer this next student's question." I'm not alone in feeling this way. So far I've been VERY patient. I feel like I should answer any question a student has. Students pay a lot to go here. I should be helpful.

One other teacher was in the classroom last week, and got super irritated by this same student. He snapped. Rule number 1 in teaching: Don't snap. If you need to discuss something important with a student call them into a different room to discuss how you feel with them! It was so awkward after that moment in time.


3. I have another student I discussed absences with. Her's are high. That's compromising her work. She said, "I think I should be given a break. I don't have a car, and can't get here on time, all the time."

Rule number 2 in teaching: Don't laugh when a student is serious. I didn't laugh, but I wanted to. I felt like saying, "Be ready early. I'll pick you up at 7:30 AM. That's right before I come to work." I didn't say that of course. Instead I said, "Maybe you need to talk to the Director about this." Somehow what's a student's problem becomes my problem.


4. Rule number 3 in teaching: No surprises. I work at a small school. We have the ability to print off their grades. This time of year I print off grades at the beginning of class day, and at the end of the class day. I don't want them to have any surprises on their grade when the class is officially over. I remember being in school, and really not knowing how good, or bad I was doing. 


5. I love teaching, but I have to say that I'm happy to have some time without them. I still have to be here over the summer. I teach summer school, and get prepared for the fall. There comes a time when students and teachers want a chapter to be over with. That time has come.