Thursday, March 25, 2010

The Not So Good

While Kindergarten has lots of fun(ny) parts, it' also has some downers.  Maybe it's not kindergarten.  Maybe it's being a teacher in a Title 1 school.  The past few weeks I have been through some of these downer moments.  I came to a realization this week that, if I don't fight for these kids and love them and believe in them, who will?  You're probably thinking, "Uh, what about their parents?"  I don't know if these parents don't know how, don't have the means, or what, but they aren't. 

Case Number 1:  I have a student that has had lice multiple times since Christmas.  He's been sent home.  He's been given medicine.  He missed 2 days of school.  Mom told the school she didn't have money to buy medication (we sent home 3 bottles not too long ago).  So, I sent home 3 more bottles.  He's still not in school.  I ask his brother why, I find out they don't have water, so they can't use treatment.  I don't get it.  First of all, don't have more kids than you can provide for.  Next, if your problems are affecting your kids, put your pride aside and get help.  There is help if you just ask.

Case Number 2:  I have more than one student that is late to school 3 of the 5 days of school each week.  I don't get it.  If you're waking up at 7:30, and are late every day, wake up earlier!  Doesn't your child's education mean anything?

Case Number 3:  Today a parent came to pick up her child (who is always sick with a cough) and is smoking in the van with the windows up. 

My heart breaks.  I know God put me in each of these kids' lives and I know that I can do it because God is working through me.  But some days, I just feel like that load is too heavy.

2 comments:

SarahEileen said...

I so know what you're talking about. Where I work is Title 1, too. There are some heartbreaking kids I see: teeth rotted out, dark circles under their eyes, etc. So often they end up in tutoring with me because they miss so much school and when they do come, they're late. I don't understand it either. So frustrating.

AF Recruiters Wife said...

Meg, that is so frustrating, and at times I found that as a teacher my hands were tied, becuase if the parents don't want the help, you can't force it!