tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37507520.post8219198253063182141..comments2023-09-26T08:20:15.098-05:00Comments on Criss writes...: Bad dreams, high hopes, one minor(ity) teacherCriss L. Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664903417376487387noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37507520.post-23941446780509887642009-09-05T13:37:17.270-05:002009-09-05T13:37:17.270-05:00Kathy, Thanks! I try to tell myself I must be maki...Kathy, Thanks! I try to tell myself I must be making a difference, however small, to SOMEone, but it's still hard to convince yourself sometimes...<br /><br />Marcy, I know, I was thinking the same thing when I read your post. :P And while mothers don't have assistant principals coming into their house to appraise them and tell them, "You know, you really should find a way to motivate Johnny [who's spent at least 3/4 of the semester in ISS and spends the little time he has in class either sleeping, checking email, or cussing you out]," you're right -- I can quit. You're stuck. :P<br /><br />I do like the idea of the "good enough mother." I think that's the only way to do it -- who's to day what the "good mother" or "perfect mother" is, since each child is completely different?Criss L. Coxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04664903417376487387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37507520.post-37765043018488970452009-09-04T22:06:34.383-05:002009-09-04T22:06:34.383-05:00Interestingly, I see SO MANY PARALLELS between wha...Interestingly, I see SO MANY PARALLELS between what you say here about being a teacher, and how I feel about being a mom. It's like that post I just wrote last week, where you have this ideal of what you'll be like and then it all comes crashing down when reality smacks you upside the head. I don't have the option of quitting, so I struggle through and go through periods where I feel I'm doing really well, and others where I feel I'm being fairly neglectful. <br /><br />But just as I find the idea of the "good enough mother" to be very helpful (I don't have to be perfect, I can't expect myself to be because it will never happen), you also have to set realistic expectations for yourself. Just as Kathy said-- you may have impact on these kids that you won't ever see directly. Think of all the good Mom and Philip have done for Sara, and they don't really get any thanks for it but I am convinced that they have done a world of good for her and she is much, much better off because of what's happened since they moved to Texas, even if she doesn't show it or seem grateful. <br /><br />Every day will be a challenge, and every day is also a new opportunity, a new start, a new chance to do better. I'm sure there will be many things that frustrate you in this job, so many things you will feel powerless over. But all you have to do is be nice to these kids, show them a kind face, and a bit of respect (which they probably see little of), and do your small part to help them out. And, also, try to remember that you don't always have all the answers. ; ) You may or may not see the actual results, but my guess is there will be some impact made. So often all they need is someone to believe in them, even if it seems they don't deserve it.Marcyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00792375260633790983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37507520.post-84995771992787640812009-09-04T11:59:18.377-05:002009-09-04T11:59:18.377-05:00Real life is rarely like the movies. We don't ...Real life is rarely like the movies. We don't usually have that music swelling moment where the kid we saved hugs us and thanks us in front of the whole school, but...and this is a big BUT, I think we make a difference in a thousand incremental ways. Keep the faith. Kids need teachers who care, and it's obvious you do.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05080278315707441923noreply@blogger.com