The Art of Never, Ever Giving Up

I am still waiting!  Not sure why my students continue to procrastinate and not stand on their desks and recite Whitman to me.

I recently made the mistake of a seasoned teacher.  I gave up on a student.  It happened despite the curled post-it on my filing cabinet that read:  Never, Ever Give Up.   After 26 years of teaching, it was hard to believe my "Oh Captain!  My Captain!" moment would ever show up.   

Join me in a short flashback to the 2016 - 2017 school year and meet one of my 6th grade students.  Let's call her Susie.  She was in my 8th hour Reading Booster class despite showing no interest in learning how to boost her reading.  Susie would routinely barge into class 4 minutes late.  Often she would be chased by random sixth grade boys who had lost their minds.  Susie would ignore that class had started and start blasting questions my way:

• Can I go to my locker?  
• I need a book.  Where's my book?  Can I go to the library?
• I forgot my sweatshirt in the gym.  Can I get it?

Nothing can stop me from teaching vocabulary.  Even if  the word is "debris" or "chaos."

I would continue teaching "Word of the Day" while silently directing Susie's attention to my florescent pink expectation poster. It read:  Ms. Gremmer expects you and your brain to stay in class. Like clockwork, Susie would yell, "DUDE MAN!" and flop on the floor.  

Then it was time for Susie's own personal "Choose Your Own Adventure." She would daily choose from the following menu:
A.  Roll around with a book in hand.
B.  Roll back and forth over the book.
OR
C.  Fall asleep. 
The class and I got used to Susie's snores.  Sometimes gentle and lulling, other times explosive and startling.  

I used all my "tricks" on Susie.  I took an interest in her life.  I ate lunch with her.  I found books specific to her interests.  I gave her extra attention.  And on and on and on.  The problem was Susie knew all the "tricks" because teachers had been springing them on her for years.  By May I had given up on Susie.  100% done.  Susie slept and rolled her way through our final novel of the year - Somewhere in the Darkness by Walter Dean Meyers.  

Okay.  Now flash forward to the beginning of this school year - 2017 - 2018. Since Susie made no reading progress in 6th grade, she was, once again, assigned to me for another year of Booster Reading.  Yes.  I had a bad attitude that involved sighing, eye rolling, and complaining to the guidance counselor.

The first day of school arrived, as it always does, and Susie was sitting in her seat on time.  After telling me she missed me, Susie asked, "What are we reading today?  That Darkness book again?"  All hour Susie participated and there was no log rolling, snorting, or attempts to escape vocabulary.  

A couple of days into the school year, all students were given a standardized reading test.  Because that is what we do in education, we give kids tests and then base all our decisions on that score.  After school I printed off my students' scores.  None of the results were surprising until I got to Susie's score.  She had rocketed up 23 points.  (Most students lose points over the summer due to never picking up a book for weeks. 23 points is MAJOR!)  

Sharing the good news with Susie made my day (well, that and a pumpkin spiced latte lunch).  When I asked Susie what changed, she told me, "I decided to try."  

Thank goodness Susie didn't give up on herself.  I have NO clue why Susie all of a sudden decided to try.  What I do know is how grateful I am.  Susie reminded me of something I used to know.  Never, Ever Give Up on a student even if they roll around your class, snore through amazing vocabulary lessons, and come late to class.   

Prairie Eydie