Jan 13
I never give up on students because they never stop surprising me. A student with whom I've had problems with in the past came to my defense today. Another student became indignant when I asked him to put away his cell phone. My defender launched into the most fantastic monologue about respect. I wish I could remember every word because it was a thing of beauty. Every time the cell phone boy tried to argue his position, my defender did not back down. He told him that I was there to help him, that I wanted to see him succeed, that unless he changed his attitude and began appreciating teachers, he would never amount to anything. It went on for several minutes, peppered with some peppery language. It was a thing of beauty. After class, I thanked my defender. He said, "Don't worry. I always got your back." That boy is going to be okay. As for cell phone boy... I have not given up on him. One day, just maybe, he will become a defender too. If we don't give up on him, maybe he will become a defender too.
