Genre Reflection #3

How To Control Your True Feelings When Dealing With Pubescent Freshmen

            Prior to entering the class, assume your students are all compliant and excited about your lesson and your CTs. Upon entering and observing the first day, assume students are just having an off day…shaking off the summer freedom. They won’t be back-talking and unruly by week two. When week two starts and the academic reading begins, they may still be talkative and unruly. Gently and pleasantly remind them of the expectations. When week three rolls around and they start pulling out their phone like its lunch, ask them to put it in their bag and go back to their schoolwork. They’ll eventually see your reasoning when you tell them that The Odyssey is more important than SnapChat. When you go home frustrated every day, decide to talk to your CT about it. She has been teaching for a while and probably has some amazing advice. Breathe a sigh of relief when she tells you that this is one of the most challenging Honors Freshman courses she has ever had. She tells you she is just as annoyed and frustrated by them and her other Honors Freshman English course is the exact opposite. After processing what she’s said, you begin to feel better. You realize it’s better for you to get the experience now in your student teaching semester. It’s better to see the realities of teaching before you get your own classroom. And that is why student teaching is beautiful.