2 Sep, 2007
They are like my family too.
Posted by teacherjulie @ 11:54 am
Shelved under Being a (Special Ed) Teacher, My Thoughts, Parenting

I was supposed to have a session with a long-time student KJ yesterday (September 1, 9am Saturday) when I got an sms from his dad saying that they have an emergency situation so he won’t be able to make it. I wasn’t able to reply since I was in discussion with the student I am with. After a while, I got a call from KJ’s sister, who is a close friend. I was shocked when she told me about the emergency situation that they have had to deal with. She asked me to talk to KJ when I see him for our next session and talk to him about what happened. I said, sure, conjuring thoughts and ideas in my mind on how I would be able to broach the topic without seemingly intruding too much.

One of the things that sets me apart from other teachers, I think, IHMO, is I am close to my students and their families. Maybe it counts that several of them have been with me for years. AM since she was 5 and now she is 15. JEM since he was 4 and now he is 13. JEM since he was 8 and now he is almost 13. JMR since he was 6 and now he is 16. JAM since he was 13 and now he is 20. KJ since he was 9 and now he is almost 16. Through all these years, I have been privy to their families’ ups and downs (though not all, of course!). I cry when they are sad. My heart bleeds with when they are in grief. I laugh with them about their happy times. Though I haven’t been to their homes, its like I have been their and back.

They are not just my students, they are like my family too and I am very proud of them.

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 2nd, 2007 at 11:54 am and is filed under Being a (Special Ed) Teacher, My Thoughts, Parenting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Permalink | 7 Comments
5 Sep, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
Jing said:

I feel like you do Teacher Julie. I am also like that, very attached with my students. I really get so carried away with family matters and other matters that really affect them. I guess, that also sets me apart from the rest of the teachers. I give an extra mile in my teaching and I make it a point that even though they are not my students anymore, we still keep in touch. My grade 3 students before are now 4th years HS ans when they see me they really scream as if they have seen a ghost and shout, ” Misssssss Yaooooooooooooo! I missssssss youuuuuu!!! Well, I guess being a true teacher really means extending yourself outside the walls of the school.
Cheers to us Teacher Julie!

  • So true, Jing Sometimes I ask myself if this is ok, to be involved with them and some their affairs but then how would I be able to “help” them cope with the different situations if I don’t. At times, it is so “draining” but it is a part of the work objectives. Thanks for the visit :) My apology, haven’t linked you up, hubby’s the one doing the “tweaking.” Take care!

5 Sep, 2007 @ 10:46 pm
teacherjulie.com » Cutting classes said:

[...] After a few moments, he replied by telling me that they are having problems in school. “What is it”, I asked. The teacher apparently, can not manage his behavior so he is able to not go back for his classes after recess. Uh-oh! What he does when he does that really beats me and I wouldn’t know for sure the answer to the whys and the hows, not until I talk to him. I remember the post I just did two days ago about how I feel that my students are not just that, students, but that they are like my family too. [...]

13 Apr, 2008 @ 12:21 am
teacherjulie.com » We Felt Insulted said:

[...] with me, who consistently go to me for special ed services, some for over a decade. They are still with me, not because they didn’t improve but because they know that together with their families and [...]

7 May, 2008 @ 1:53 am
teacherjulie.com » Annoyed? Yes. Here is why… said:

[...] and what I am capable and not capable of. I am careful about how i deal with my students. I am like this, and that and as long as i am teacher, I wouldn’t compromise my reputation with name-calling [...]

7 May, 2008 @ 4:24 am
raqgold said:

hi julie, i posted something like that in my blog last week
http://homeworked.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-would-you-know-your-kid-is-learning.html

i know you’re the professional but professionals have feelings, too.

i would appreciate if you could leave a tip for me in that post.

15 Sep, 2010 @ 7:24 am
teacherjulie.com » Bittersweet Teacher Moments said:

[...] is doubly (or triple) hard for me to “let go” of them. It is like helping raise a child of your own only to let them go without assurance when I can see them again OR if I will still see [...]

15 Oct, 2010 @ 10:28 pm
teacherjulie.com » More Challenges Ahead said:

[...] I don’t think I am over-acting when I think about these things. I get too involved in the lives of my students because no matter what, they are like my family too. [...]

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