The saying children can be cruel sadly has more validity to it than I would have thought possible before becoming a teacher. This is especially true when it comes to middle school students that are continually in search of their own identities, as well as trying to keep their hormonal see-saw balanced. Often, the turbulence brought on by adolescence causes students to pick on others in order to make themselves feel better about their own insecurities. Some make a habit of picking on others they feel to be inferior to them for whatever reason, because they are so confused and lost feeling in their own lives. Others pick on students that have become regular targets of abuse as a way to fit in with the 'popular' group. As a teacher that has witnessed these types of behaviors on numerous occasions it puts me in an uncomfortable position of wanting to handle the issue personally versus how I have to deal with it professionally.
Personally, when I see students being bullied, or made fun of by others, what I instinctually want to do is torment the student in the same way they torment others. Quite honestly, there have been some occasions in which I was actually hoping that one of the 'bullies' would take a swing at me just so I could put them in a theraputic hold :) until help arrived. During the time the student spends locked in my theraputic hold :) the temptation to cause physical punishment to that student would be nearly overwhelming. I say all of this in jest of course, as I would never actually harm a student...seriously...I wouldn't...seriously...unless...
Anyway, professionally when I witness these types of teasing and bullying actions I first attempt to address the issue myself. If that fails I report the matter to the guidance counselor and/or administration. As a teacher, contacting parents about these matters can be tricky for a teacher, so I've found it's better handled from the administrative level. I guess that what I'm trying to say in a roundabout way is that even though our students often engage in behaviors we don't agree with, as professional educators at the middle school level it is imperative we always remember that our students are between the ages of 11 and 14 and that they are going to make mistakes.
For as much cruelty as students can create, I discovered this year that some of those same students are also capable of tremendous compassion and kindness. For the past four years I have coached the 21 and up age group in the track and field division of Special Olympics. This year, during the height of our training season in February and March, I decided to invite students willing to come help out with training. A bit to my surprise I had a decent amount of students that signed up to participate each Saturday. I chose some wonderfully behaved students I knew would do well, and they did just that. I also chose some students with reputations for having behaviors issues, and much to my delight they too were absolutely wonderful with working with the Special Olympians. It was really quite amazing to witness students that were basically hell on wheels within the classroom be so kind and caring to the special athletes. A particular moving image that is embedded in my mind from that time is when one of those problematic students quietly volunteered to walk one of our older and blind special athletes across the gym to the water fountain. Though such a simple act, it's one of my most cherished memories.
It is important to remember that all students, like adults, have both good and bad qualities. An important aspect of teaching must also include doing what we can to accentuate the good and eliminate or reduce the bad.
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