Sometimes I worry, if there is such a place, and the ed fundamentalists have their way, I am probably going to Teacher Hell. And while my sins have added up over the years (especially lately), they’ve always been from a place of good intentions.

And I had those same good intentions in mind yesterday as I sat down to begin brokering a deal with the devil between two of my students and me. But something had to give–even if it means eternal damnation.

They aren’t doing the work. They haven’t done the work (likely for years). They won’t do the work. Oh, they’re pleasant enough about it, but they’re only pushing the work around their plates, taking cautionary, only-when-Sy-is-looking bites–and even then, they are nibbles at best. And changing the menu doesn’t seem to matter. Something had to be done. Can’t have kids starving at the table. So, I asked them to bring their own meals to the table.

“Okay, guys, this isn’t working. I know it. You know it.

Sheepish shrugs from them.

“So, I think we need to find a middle, somewhere that will work for both of us. I won’t bullshit you and tell this stuff is essential to your futures. It is unlikely you will sit around reading literature looking for themes when you leave school. I won’t do that. But I will shoot you straight and tell you that your ability to access and deliver information will have some impact on future opportunities. So, let’s find somewhere in between. At this point, I don’t really care what you read or write as long as you are growing as readers and writers. Please go home tonight and think about where we can find a suitable medium.”

They nodded. I collected their stared-at, pushed-around, basically-untouched Learning Checks. And the period ended.

Just make ’em do it. Sorry, can’t. Quit the compliance model some time ago. Might have been the first step in my descent to the nether. I am interested only in their commitment, not their compliance.

What about the other kids? You mean the other kids who are doing and benefiting from the work for their own future opportunities? I am talking about these two kids who are doing nothing. Pretty sure the other kids don’t really care. And if I needed to, I would meet them somewhere in between, too.

But they’re not getting the same education as all the other kids. No, they aren’t–with or without my deal. Maybe the notion that they all have to have the same education, in the same way, at the same time is the problem. Maybe the common, just-give-them-more-of-the-same response in ed is what has failed kids who need something beyond our pat response to deficiency. Some, here, might even suggest they need another language arts class to get them caught up. Not buying it.

So, today, as my feet feel, but not fear, the fire from below, I will touch base with these two as we work to find somewhere between. And if that’s damnable, then I will accept my fate. I already have.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…growing with grammar.

…engaging in a silent-discussion activity with “Two Kinds”

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Tuesday, all. Sorry if my post was a little feisty this morning. Sometimes, to change things, we have to get a little edgy.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.