The VOICES of THOSE KIDS

During preservice a few years ago, I ran into a group of new teachers at lunch. We had a brief conversation about where we worked. When they heard where I taught, a PRTF (Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility), one of the teachers said, “Good for you. I couldn’t work with THOSE kids.” I said, “You do realize when THOSE kids leave […]

THOSE KIDS: Every Single Day

Every single day since March 18th I have thought about them.  Every single day.  I wonder how they’re coping.  If they’re coping.  I wonder how things are at home.  I wonder if they are even going home.  If they still have a home.  I wonder if anyone has told them they will be okay.  If anyone has even talked to […]

THOSE KIDS: The One Who Changed Everything

That one interaction changed the way I teach.  It changed everything. The student wasn’t a good student and most of the time was difficult to even like.  He was one of THOSE KIDS.  He had been suspended and expelled and recently kicked out of an alternative school.  He had been arrested and incarcerated.  He had a reputation that proceeded him.  His peers feared him and his […]

I’m Not Going to Talk About the Gay Kid Anymore

I’m not going to talk about the gay kid anymore.  Or the bisexual kid. Or the transgender kid.  Labels.  How come the labels always get to me before the student?  I teach in a psychiatric hospital and the labels travel fast. I know when I was in a general education building the labels flew across the building. A student comes […]

I Told My High School Son to Just Stop Studying

Just Stop Studying. Actually, what I said was if you try to study for that test, I am going to burn your study guide. You are not studying. Doesn’t sound like parenting at it’s finest does it, but I would argue it’s one of the best things I ever did for my child. Rewind two years to freshman orientation. We […]

To THAT Student…I’m Sorry I Wasn’t Better

Dear Student, I found a letter you wrote over 15 years ago to me at the end of your 8th grade year. You were thanking me for helping you and all I did for you. Reading that letter brought tears to my eyes, but not for the reasons you probably think. I felt so bad. I was not the teacher […]