It's nearly 4am and I haven't slept. I really should be analyzing Emma, but instead I'm blogging. It's one of those "It's the end of the semester and I'm burned out and tired and want it to be winter break already" moments.
I love my Tuesday tutoring project. I work with 8th graders at a middle school in the city. We (myself and my fellow tutors) essentially help the students through all the aspects of producing a video podcast: brainstorming, writing, storyboarding, filming, editing. There are 3 boys in my group (I also work with another tutor) who are energetic and smart, but definitely lack focus. I want to work on getting them excited about the class and the issues the podcasts address, but as we all know, getting 13 year old boys excited about anything related to school is quite a challenge. Also, I have a difficult time asserting myself as the adult. I'm only 8 years older than these kids, and I'm not sure they see me as an authority figure. I spoke with a couple friends of mine who happen to be teachers, and they suggested things such as changing the way I dress and lowering my voice a bit. We don't really have much of a dress code (other than 'be appropriate to work with kids'), so I've been showing up in jeans and tshirts and hoodies. Other tutors do the same, but they don't seem to have the same problem being authoratative. I'll have to give their suggestions a shot next week.
I'm working at my old job again (the kiddie clothing store). Probably just for the holidays, but I might consider working part time again after the season. It will be interesting to be back. Oh, and I'm working at 5am on black Friday.
My class schedule for next semester changed a bit. It looks like I will have 2 English classes (back to back, mind you) on MWF, followed by an hour break before math class (which will be every day). On Tuesday and Thursday I'll have politics and american culture, a 1 1/2 hour break, and then math. The good news: I don't have to be at school until 11am 3x a week. The bad news: I have to be at school by 9:30am 2x a week. Actually, 9:30am isn't THAT bad. Anything before that and I'd need to have coffee in an IV.
I will either go back to Emma or try to sleep. To all you US readers, I hope you have a wonderful Turkey Day!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
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2 comments:
Your mentoring job sounds super neat! Don't be afraid to assert yourself as the adult. 8 years is a lot -- I worked at a children's camp where I was only 3 years older than some of the campers!
Good luck! I tutor also, and middle school boys are the HARDEST. The only advice I have is that the more they like you, the more they also respond when you do have to lay down the tough card. So, try and stay easygoing as much as you can without trying to "be their buddy." If they hate you, they'll only make it harder on you, just because they can.
I know, easier said than done.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
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