So this week started a new quarter. I teach technology now and get new students each quarter. Its basically the first day of school again for me, and I have to come down hard and be a complete a**hole, especially in the environment I teach in. Wednesday I had a very rough class of about 36 students in a small room. They ran me ragged, but I never backed down. My next class only had 13 in it. I was still in "monster" mode going over my rules and routines. Today I give them their first real assignment, and find how slow they are. Guess what? These kids are special ed, and no one told me. I think I scared the crap out of them Wednesday, they are so freaking sweet and gentle.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
Oops. *sympathy*
I hope things smooth out for you and your students.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Stephan: These kids are special ed, and no one told me.
That is horrifying (although sadly, not surprising). There is guilt here, but it ain't yours.
(Also, it's probably good for them. I don't think you have anything to feel guilty about.)
Posted by Sala (Member # 8980) on :
Now that you know, you'll know how to treat them and I'm sure they'll come around pretty soon. It IS tough to start a "new" year every quarter. I'm glad I don'thave to.
Posted by ReikoDemosthenes (Member # 6218) on :
Oi... That's kinda an important detail to be given in advance. Hopefully you'll be able to get a better read of the class, now, though.
Posted by AvidReader (Member # 6007) on :
When I took ROTC, the Captain said it's always better to come down hard to start with because then you're the guy who mellowed out over time. If you start out too easy and get tougher, then you're the jerk.
This could work out in your favor.
Posted by AchillesHeel (Member # 11736) on :
Completely differant rules for special ed, especially with the varying degree's of the all encompassing department. What your Captain said is correct for most situations but not when you have thirteen very fragile kid's who you do not expect to become digital engineer's.
Posted by Dobbie (Member # 3881) on :
AvidReader was trying to find the upside in an unfortunate situation. He wasn't recommending that Stephan treat special education students as if they were soldiers and he was their commanding officer.