Last year I took on the challenge of teaching an intervention class for the lowest 30 freshman in the entire school at Arlington. I had them for a class period of Algebra and an intervention class period also, back to back. This class I volunteered for and knew that at times would be challenging to teach, BUT this was exactly the class that was needed to transition out our Pre-Algebra class.
Fast forward my block kids at the end of the year know that I am pregnant and were definitely involved in the rumor has it wondering about me being pregnant. By the end of the school year 12 out of the 30's math skills were raised to grade level and they passed Algebra 1, ready for Geometry the next year.
Now to the awesome blessing that these students have been to me in the last 5 days. 1st period begins and one of my successful students enrolled in Geometry and will have me again for another year of math :) This student named A, asks how my summer is, how I am feeling, and how the baby is AND not only knows the math but confidently is helping his peers remember the math too. Later during 2nd a student comes by and waves high on their way to their next class. Then 3rd period I have 3 students again who were successful who are also confidently helping their peers with the math, who ask how the baby is and such. Then two girls came in my room at lunch to check on me, the baby and see if the doctor slipped and told me the gender yet. Then told me that they told their teacher that they were the reason why they did not pass Algebra 1 last year and that they were going to be successful this year. Then after school one of the students to extract more patience out of me than I knew I had comes by to ask how I am, if the baby is doing good, and if the freshman are being good to me (otherwise he would rough them up...LOL). I would never tell him yes, but I said that I was doing good and for him to have a good day. Day 1 major blessing knowing that at least these 7 students I had touched in some way over the course of our 2 hours we spent together everyday. The next day another unsuccessful student came by to check up on me, see how the baby was doing and ask if the baby was still growing nice and big. He told me about his success with police explorers over the summer and then headed off to class. Again my student came in after school to check on me, how I was feeling, and if the baby was good that day. I told him yes, he told me he was not going to ditch any of his classes this year (he was a frequent ditcher last year and was regularly MIA). Then came Wednesday which was an off day, but one that included being checked on by some block kids again during the day. Thursday I am visited by a new block student...baby and me checked on and wondering if the doctor slipped or not to tell me the gender. They tell me how their summer was and how their mom and them cant wait for me to have the baby so they can by me an outfit. Then I am off to the lunch football rally and one of my students who worked hard comes over and greets me with the BIGGEST smile I have ever seen on his face, gives me a side hug, and asks if I am going to the football game that night. I tell him yes...he proudly says that he is starting and number 40 (so for me to look out for him). He tells me that his math class is EASY so far :) :) My after school visitor comes back to see how the baby is again and now this makes it 3 out of 4 days, and he asks to get to come back in my room and if I miss my favorite student? I smile and tell him to have a good after noon and he tells me the same and not to work too hard. Now to Friday I have another student who comes in and gives me a hug, BIG smile and asks how the baby is doing.
As most people in education know an intervention course normally means more patience out of the teacher and more behavior problems. Their were many more spent in prayer over those seats for the students who needed more grace and peace each day. Over the summer Scott asked me if I would ever teach a block class again? Honestly after the school year I was really leaning towards NO because I felt as though I did not really help any of them grow or mature. However after this week I know in the lives of at over half of that class that I DID MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE in their lives. I made this difference and could tell by them going out of their way each day to check on me and the baby. Scott was shocked every night as I told him which block student came and visited me each day.
This group of students will be forever treasured in my heart and were used to remind me why I went into teaching students. Not only to teach them math, BUT to also change their lives forever. I am excited to see what will happen with this group over the next three years as they blossom and grow. As I write this down I did tear up thinking about week 1 with the block kids.
Now to answer the question...yes I would teach a block class again!!!
