Troublemakers by Carla Shalaby

         This reading reminded me of the book we had to read for another class "Canaries Reflection of the Mine: Dropouts' Stories of Schooling" by Jeanne Cameron.  This book shared stories from many different students who had dropped out of high school and all of their variety of reasons and thoughts thinking back.  I was taught that the "troublemakers" always have some reason why they are acting out, in order to somewhat "control" this behavior, we need to find the root of the problem and help the student best we can.  I do realize there is a threshold a teacher shouldn't cross to be involved with students' lives, but sometimes it is definitely necessary. 

         After reading both sections, I was curious (as I always are) when this was published.   Having this reading published in 2017, I am going to give the teachers a bit of slack.  I believe that some of her points are in fact important, it was hard for me to be 100% on board without a specific example while being inside a classroom with challenging behaving children.  I have experienced students who have behavior issues but I can't say they were old enough to realize what they were doing, other than they wanted attention.  When I see a student acting out, I assume they are wanting attention because they don't receive enough at home.  As much as I want to give them the attention, I like to give them attention in a different way than they might want.  In my art education classes, we learned that giving the behavioral students a responsibility or task is helpful for them to hopefully be less disruptive and makes them feel important.  I have also found that some students want attention because they are always given attention at home and they expect the same from their teachers/peers.  For me personally, in the few scenarios I've seen recently, I can't say that the students who were being disruptive were doing it on purpose, to make a point about the school system.  I do agree that once they are in middle school, they can act as leaders to those who might be on the quiet side.  I remember being paired up with the more disruptive kids because I was not.  These kids did have a good heart and I could tell by the help they gave me, whether it be with a presentation or with a problem with another student where they stood up for me.  I believe these students can become strong voices to their opinions like Shalaby explains.  I can't say I have seen enough consistent bad behavior from the same student to think of any other opinions!    

        I believe that the newer teachers have given their students a lot more leeway, whether you agree with that or not, I have experienced this at almost every school in the last few years (except for the principals,) especially from younger teachers.  I agree with trying to avoid sending students out of class or school entirely, because they are there to learn.  If a student is skipping school, it feels like they are rewarded for being suspended...I never understood that.  While I like how teachers aren't hitting students' desks with rulers, or yelling and screaming directly in their faces, I do think there could be a little more discipline.  A happy medium if you will....

        At the school I am volunteering at for Inspiring Minds, the classroom had a student teacher for the first two weeks I went.  She disregarded most disruptive behaviors, and some hazards caused by some students.  I had mentioned that I didn't want to overstep during her time, but at some points I had to address the situation or inform her to do so.  I noticed the first week that she didn't really make them clean up their areas but instead, told them to do so and they would just line up at the door.  The second week a boy went over to another table and spilled a colored pencil bucket on purpose.  I looked over at him and said "why?" as he walked back to his desk.  I then said "can you please pick those up?" and after he did I thanked him.  I then noticed he dropped something else (on accident) on the floor and on his own, he picked it up.  Just within that one class I realized that students really just need a reminded to clean up or to behave well, and to be called out when they aren't doing so, which can apparently be controversial.  I always kept this idea in mind from my first job: If you walk over a piece of trash and don't pick it up, your students won't.  If you act like you don't like tennis and don't participate, your students won't.  Kids look up to their teachers, camp counselors, and anyone older than them.  They think you are so cool no matter what you do.  Leading by example is SO important to showcasing good behavior and habits.      

            In the art room it tends to never be completely silent, especially while students work on their projects.  When I was a long term sub, I only asked them to be quiet for the beginning and the faster we got through the lesson, the more time they had to work in groups.  

I feel like as always I went on a bit of a tangent in many different directions....thanks for reading all the thoughts in my head!