Reflection 4.1

Kids I find it easy to like:

I find it easy to connect with students that have some of the same personality traits and interests.  It makes it easier for me to understand them and I can connect with them easier.  Also, I find myself gravitating towards students that are outgoing, good personality, have leadership qualities, cares about their education, and want to succeed.

Kids I find it hard to like:

It is hard to like students that do not care about their education or themselves.  Students that come every class and are distracting towards others, do not follow the rules, and are taking away the right for other students to learn.  It is also difficult to build a relationship with a student who is very quite and reserved.  Its not that I do not like them, it is hard to break through that barrier.

Kids I am sorry for: 

I feel the most sorry for the kids that show up to class every time with out a care in the world and are very distractive to the rest of the students.  I believe it is a cry out for help because of something in their past or the current family life.  However, I chose to believe that students want to get smarter and apply them selves so that they give them selves a good opportunity to succeed later in life.  Also, I feel sorry for the students that receive some type of neglect at home; whether that is verbal, emotional, or physical, no student should have to be exposed to that type of abuse.

Kids I feel threatened by:
Students that are very intelligent and feel they need to prove themselves.  Although, I am not afraid to be wrong in front of my students or admit my imperfections, however, if I had a student that was constantly asking me questions I did not know the answers too, I would feel a little threatened and insecure.

Kids I identify with:

Again, I find it easy to identify with students that share my same personality traits and interests, for instance, athletes, social butterflies, and goof balls.  At some point in my day, I could relate to those labels and understand who they are and what they are going through.  Also, I could relate to students whose family is in the military or has moved around a lot because I was in the military and moved around quite a bit as a kid.

Kids I gravitate towards:
I gravitate towards kids that are natural leaders, are excited about learning, show respect to their fellow students and their teacher, and who I think are a great role model for other students.  Also, someone who portrays certain personality traits that I would have aspired to have at their age or possibly even now in my life.  For example, in high school, even though I was popular and didn’t mind the spot light, I didn’t like speaking in front of crowds or giving speeches.  I wish I could have been more confident and secure with my abilities.

Kids I feel inadequate around: 

I hate the feeling when a student is struggling at something and no matter what I say, demonstrate, or do it is not getting through to them and they cannot grasp the concept.  I take it personal and feel that I am not doing something right and I am inferior.  Also, for students that have experienced things in their lives that I haven’t and I do not know enough about to be able to understand what they are going through or how they are dealing with it.  For example, students with learning disabilities, besides learning the basics in school and learning how to cope with them, I have never experienced that frustration or challenge so can I ever truly understand?  Also, when talking to females about issues could be inappropriate for a opposite gender teacher-student to be discussing, for instance, anything sexual or physical contact I feel uncomfortable with.

Kids I probably don't even notice: 

I don’t know because I don’t notice them. HAHA…  I think the students that come to class and just check the box and are not very noticeable; they do their work or enough to where you do not say anything. They receive average scores on their assignments and tests and have a couple of friends in class, but are quite and follow the rules so they do not gain attention.  They wear clothing that are ordinary and average and only answer questions when called upon.