Why Does This Kid Hate Me? (And Other Burning Questions)

Total disclaimer here: I've never actually had a kid say they hate me. I have, however, been on the end of several angry glares. I mean a lot of them. I'm tough, okay? Some days I feel like the meanest teacher in the whole wide world; but I know that, for the most part, my strategies are effective.

I think it's important to be fair to all students, but also to remember that what is fair for one isn't necessarily fair for another.

So, yesterday one of my kids got mad at me and said: "My teacher ruins everything!"

You've figured me out, kid. MY WHOLE PLAN IS RUINED.

Honestly, I don't care that he said it. I thought it was a little funny, but I do wish that he'd waited until he was more than two feet away from me to complain about how horrible I am. I don't even wonder what I did to make him say that, but it does raise the question of: How is this my fault? 

I've spent the better part of the year working on classroom management, behavior charts, marble jars, and heaven only knows what else to make everything fair for everyone. So, yeah, he was mad. I knew it was going to be a tough conversation. It definitely wasn't the first one and I know without a doubt that it won't be the last one. That's okay, though. I can "ruin everything", but that doesn't mean I don't care.

One thing I try to focus on in my classroom is student accountability. I want my kids to be responsible for their own behavior as well as their learning. Yeah, I'm up there talking, but you need to listen. (Really.) Which brings me to another question: WHY CAN'T YOU STOP TALKING?

Oh. Em. Gee. We've been back from spring break for almost two weeks and it hasn't stopped yet. Sometimes I just want to do a mic drop and walk out of my class. Of course, I'd be sad if they didn't notice I was gone so I won't leave. You're kids, I get it. But like...just...shhh, okay?

  

Does that kid really hate me? That's a given: no, that kid doesn't hate me and I know it. I know that something is going on and that something is different. I know I'm going to keep building the relationship I've worked on all year and hope that I get through to them. Trust me, I've seen it happen. Even today I had an experience with another student I've been working with. It isn't easy, but it's worth it.

I don't have a lot of inspiration to give right now, I just know that I can't give up yet. Today was a tough one, I won't lie. I've been having a lot of tough conversations with students and I'm just kind of over it. I want everyone to get along and that doesn't always happen. Sometimes some kids surprise you, though. That's always nice. I try to focus on the positive, especially with just a few weeks left in the year. Sometimes those things are too few and far between, but sometimes they aren't. Maybe it's a hug, or a smile, or a half of a construction paper heart. Whatever your piece of positive is, embrace it.  

That's all I've got. Also: it's almost Friday.