Lizabeth+Leath

A Letter to my Students:
 * Genre Reflection 1**

Dear Students-

I am enjoying all of you so much and you are making this experience so rewarding for me. I was full of nerves and apprehension going into this experience and beginning teaching, but your excitement to have me work with you has made me so comfortable and extremely excited to come in every day and learn right along with you. Seeing the genuine excitement on your faces and seeing that you are learning and taking a lot from the material we learn is amazing. I couldn't have been placed with a better group of students. I absolutely want to teach you as much as I possibly can and to learn as much as I can from you. I love the fact that the most apprehensive and disengaged of you all are starting to come around and enjoy class. I'm so glad Adjective I-Spy was such a hit, even though you all initially thought it would be boring since the element of grammar was present. I'm looking forward to the coming weeks and I already see that by the time this experience is over I will certainly miss you all!

Sincerely,

Ms. Leath


 * Genre Reflection 2**

Where do I begin... As soon as we met I heard "he's trouble", "he never listens" I learned more about you Interacted with you Read with you and laughed with you You created amazing poetry and finally accepted the fact that **ALL** poetry doesn't have to rhyme You read aloud You participate enthusiastically and eagerly ask questions We have trouble at times yet, You manage to get back on task Other teachers look on surprised Surprised that you're actually picking up your pencil Putting it to your paper and could it be??? //HE'S DOING HIS WORK!!!!!!// Way to prove them **WRONG**

Lizabeth: It is interesting that some students are so different or come from such odd backgrounds that some teachers do not want to try to know them. The non-conformist always gets the raw deal, unless a wonderful teacher like you comes along and lets them "shine." I loved it when you said, "Not all poetry has to rhyme." What a wonderful metaphor for not all kids have to conform. Like Thoreau said, "Dude, it's okay to be narely." Jody Thomas 3/27/11

Lizabeth: Wow! Don't you love proving the stereotypes and misconceptions teachers have about students wrong? I have a few students who I know are intelligent, but are just given up on. Why can't teachers take that extra time to read with and laugh with students as your poem suggests? Sometimes I find seeing other teachers "interact" with students is nothing more than yelling at them. How can this be? And we wonder why kids don't like school, and why many drop out...hmmm... Great poem! I can't wait to hear about your internship!--Ashley

Lizabeth, I dislike when teachers always want to put a tag on the students that they do not like or think to be trouble and refer to these students as "trouble" or other stereotype names. I also do not like when the teacher wants to tell interns about these students inabilities first thing instead of saying if that student has a problem or something else could be going on in the childs life that makes them misbehave. Some teachers hate their job so they vent out on the students "disabilities" as a way of forgetting about their own problems and hatred. I love the fact that you have written about that talked about student but you have written about him in a way that would make other teachers want him in their classroom unlike the teacher that downed him to you. Great job, Lizabeth! -Molly Davenport 3/23/11

﻿This is awesome! I'm so glad that you were able to see through the labels placed on students and see him for who he really is. I don't understand how teachers reach the point where they stop wanting to listen, to help and to teach. To me, if you are simply there for a paycheck, you are in the wrong profession. I don't think it is fair to say that a student is "trouble"...maybe re-phrase it and say that the student has challenges in the classroom in the way of behavior. I realize it is a simple re-statement, but it does make a difference, especially if the student is earning a reputation around the school, with both students and faculty. Good work! Bethany 3/23/11

You get em' Lizabeth! Isn't that just one of the best feelings in the world? I had the same thing going on with one of my students, and when I saw him finally engaging, finally understanding, finally trying, I just wanted to say 'HA' to everybody who more or less told me not to bother. But I kept it to myself. haha. You're obviously making an impact on this boy, and I commend you! I always enjoy reading and hearing the things that you write. I think you have a loooot of talent and a lot of heart, and it comes through in your writing! Love it! -Adriana 3.23.2011

Genre Reflection

Parting Ways

Initially I though I'd observe, teach, and leave As time progressed a bond formed A friendship, a mutual respect and understanding We turned the classroom into an open, honest and comfortable space We struggled with poetry but... YOU learned and YOU conquered 7B3 vs. Poetry...winner takes all Waking up on April 1st was bitter sweet and full of mixed emotions I was so excited to finally have a break but... I knew I would absolutely miss everything about this experience Third period progressed... Close to the end I hear Ms. Garvin say "Ms. Leath, can you come to the front for a minute?" I unassumingly make my way to the front and stand before you I see her pick up something that's in a frame, smile at me and immediately tears form in my eyes like pools She begins..."this poem is called Seashells..." I listen, I smile, I wipe my crocodile tears The poem ends with... "Each shell has the power to enrich your life - ...what will a seashell teach you?" As I wipe my eyes revealing a mascara massacre Each of you gets up in a procession and gives me a seashell with your name on it By this time I'm all red with black streaks of joy running down my cheeks Next each of you tells me something you learned I hear... "Thank you for making Language Arts easy for me" "Thank you for convincing me all poetry doesn't have to rhyme" and lastly... "Thank you for being patient, caring and understanding" Those words meant more to me than I could ever express So now let me thank you... thank you for teaching me things about myself I've never realized thank you for showing me that I am going into the right profession and lastly... I thank each and every one of my "seashells" for showing me the power and beauty in being a teacher <3