The Myth of the “Good” Teacher
Lucas has a hair crossed. He does not see the value of rules, and he’s determined to prove his point by taking on the “No Drinks but Water in the Classroom” rule. This rule is easy to defend – just imagine the poor janitor’s job if sticky sugary drinks and adolescents were mixed in the classroom every day. But, Lucas wants his PowerAde. One day, he stands directly in front of me, glares at me, and takes a huge gulp. I give him a detention. I have no choice.
It’s no surprise when Lucas doesn’t show up to serve his detention. He now has a cause. I sigh, notify the powers that be, and escalate it. But still, he fails to serve it. Up another level to an administrator. A personal visit finally does the trick. Was that an eye roll I saw? Surely not. Sometimes the implication seems to be that if the teacher needs backup, it’s his or her failure with classroom management. This is the myth of the “good” teacher. Everyone needs backup from time to time.
Somehow serving that detention transforms my relationship with Lucas. He becomes my best buddy, respectful, chatty, helpful. Had no one ever said “NO” to that boy before? Sometime later, I meet him at the gas station, and he comes flying over the pavement to give me a big hug.
Wow! Go figure!