nel
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 1173 total posts
Name:
|
Kind of dreading tomorrow... UPDATE. It's done.
And by kind of, I mean I definitely am.
I teach juniors (AP classes), and for the last couple of years, I decided that it was important for me to talk to them about safe driving. (I lost a student in a car accident almost seven years ago... I can't believe it's been that long... so it's very personal to me.)
Back when that accident happened, I wrote a lot about it for myself (vignettes), so the first time I decided to talk to my juniors (three years ago), I made a packet of some of them, and I shared them with the class. (I don't let them keep the packet... I give them out and then recollect them.) It hit them pretty hard, and that was not even because they had personal connections to the accidents... I know it was mostly because of the connection they have with me and the vignettes, themselves. (They're pretty raw.)
I did this last year again, and it hit the kids pretty hard. So I decided if it kept making an impact, I'd keep doing it, and I do it in January because this is the year they turn 17, and they've actually been talking about driving pretty non-stop for the past couple of weeks. So I'm doing it tomorrow... and ugh. I'm superclose to these AP kids, and I have THREE classes of them... I have a feeling this is going to hit even harder than usual this year because of my relationship with them and because I actually have a lot of them for the second year in a row.
I know it's important. I really do know that. And I know if it does hit them really hard, that's actually good because it means it might stick with them... I just feel bad knowing I'm going to put them through the wringer in a few hours, and they have no idea... 
UPDATE:
Thanks so much for the replies, everybody. It was... a draining day. A lot of them were hit pretty hard by the vignettes, some tears, some hugs at the end of class... but they all also said it was really important and some of them even thanked me later in the day.  these kids. I'm really glad I did this again. Now... to figure out what, exactly, to do with them tomorrow...
I figured I'd need a second day to talk about this and help them process it. DH wants to know why I can't just let them talk for 43 minutes.... I don't think that'll work out. (He's not a teacher.  ) I did have them write at the end of class today, so I know we can talk about what they thought, and I don't want to hit them with more shock value things since I think I made that point pretty clear today. Just... hmmm... that's the process for the next hour or so, I guess.
Ok, done rambling. Thanks again. 
Message edited 1/6/2011 9:03:18 PM.
|
ziamaria
I love this boy!
Member since 4/07 3372 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Kind of dreading tomorrow...
I think the fact that you do this is amazing and they will appreciate it in the long run. I had some monumental teachers in high school who've shaped my life choices - you can shape theirs a make a huge impact on the community in a way no other has before.
I'm sorry for your loss. I think you have made a very couragous and selfess decision in sharing your vignettes. :)
|
DiamondGirl
You are my I love you
Member since 7/09 18802 total posts
Name:
DiamondMama
|
Re: Kind of dreading tomorrow... UPDATE. It's done.
I think it is wonderful that you do this. I lost a student in a car accident as well  so I know how hard it must be for you to talk about it. You are really doing your students an enormous service IMO
|
