This week has been one of two very different (but both very positive) kinds of connection with students.
First, I spent some time with (both on-line and in person) a former student, whom I shall refer to as the V.P. (and he knows why!). I have always enjoyed the V.P. as a student, but it's been great to converse with him in a non-student/teacher situation, get to know him better, find out what makes him tick, etc. I hope he has seen that teachers are people, too! Likewise, it has reinforced for me that students are people, too . . . too! There are so many interesting things to know about every student. It's an unfortunate reality of the way our system of education is structured that we teachers don't get much time to make authentic connections with students in order to learn many of these interesting things. I'm glad the V.P. was willing to take the time to spend some of his free time shootin' the breeze. It's sad that it couldn't occur until after school was out, however.
Second, another student came to see me today; I'll call him Joe. Jakob, a student from our high school, was found dead earlier this week, and Joe wanted to talk to me about it. Joe and several of his friends, all of whom were Jakob's friends, have been hanging out together since learning about it, and it's been tough for them. They don't have all the answers about the circumstances of Jakob's death, and they're sixteen-year-olds united by one tragic event, trying to make sense of something that traumatizes even adults. Joe came to find me and just talk about it. I'm glad I was here when he came by, and I hope it helped him in some small way to talk. Last summer, another student from our high school, Monte, died, and many of our students were affected deeply by that loss. I feel for Jakob's family and friends and hope that they are able to find some peace of mind even if all the details surrounding Jakob's death don't come to light in the end.
It certainly is an incredible resource if tapped into, that is, an actual friendship with a teacher or a student, depending on perspective. One just has to realize that there is an actual possibility for it.
ReplyDeleteFrom a students perspective, we can only imagine a friendship with a teacher who we LIKE (so that rules out any teachers who don't allow Silent Ball, just kidding), then if we get to that point, we might become intimidated by the fact that they are a professional mind-molder, and they can see our attempts as meek and possible bribary.
But from my personal experiences, I know that a friendship or any sort of relationship with a teacher that isn't strictly "Here is work . . . do it . . . that is all," can be very rewarding. I know that a teacher can offer great advice on many different levels and not just academics, they can also offer great conversations.
What it takes, as cliche as it is, is the proper perspective of viewing everyone as humans, humans that can offer friendship. Heck, watch "Welcome Back Kotter," . . . if not for anything else, just the theme song.
But you, Mr. Moberg, I must thank for offering ME that friendship, you are certainly a rolemodel in many areas for me, and I appreciate what you've done for me immensely. As much as that might be . . . I still don't know how long it will take me to get out of calling you "Mr. Moberg."
Pablo
Ah, Pablo, you flatterer, you! Of course, you know what Shakespeare always used to say? "He that loves to be flattered is worthy o' the flatterer." Whatever that means.
ReplyDeleteOh, and Jean De La Fontaine (that card!) was known for saying "Every flatterer lives at the expense of him who listens to him" at the drop of a hat. Can you even stand it?!
Seriously, you say some very nice things (moi? a role model?) and some very smart things. "The proper perspective [is] viewing everyone as humans" should be the official teachers' and students' motto.
Let's all say it together now: "Ke-vin." And again: "Ke-vin." One more time: "Ke-vin."
Eh, "KMo" would be fine, too. Or "Dr. Moberg." Or "Snaptastic Zed and the Electric Love Machine."
P.S. Do you have any stories for me from your "senior trip" to Canada? Perhaps they must needs be shared via e-mail rather than bloggishly . . .
Dr. Kev-Morkian? . . . no, doesn't have that ring to it, does it? I'll think of something.
ReplyDeleteAt this point, grades mean nothing, so I don't really see it as flattery. I'm just preachin' the truth, that's all. I'm not the only one who things this.
I believe that I can describe my Canadian adventures with you through bloggish format, for I didn't venture to Canada for the typcial highschooler fashion. We went just to hang out and goof off with friends . . . but in a different country.
First off, the drive there was pretty fun. We took two vehicles (Myself, Nick Boushee, Andy Zimmerman, James Dravitz, and Alberto Arriaga), so we had ample opportunity for highway pranks; such as my favorite - Mustard Tag! Each car drives down the road to it's destination: Winnepeg. But look out! Whoever is "it," has there sights set on the other vehicle. To "tag" the other vehicle, you throw the bottle of mustard at the other car. Simple, yes. Dangerous, maybe. Stupid, that's the best part. But my bullseye came when I threw it through Albertos driver side window and it splattered on the dashboard. That alteast saves him from having to buy any car air-freshner, Mustard Seed is very popular these days.
We didn't go to drink alcohol or smoke inhalants or do drugs, or stomp smurfs(as far as I know, that isn't any type of drug, but doesn't it sound like it could be?), because that ain't the way to have fun . . . son. So we had fun in other ways, such as fine dining, going to rock shows, the Winnepeg Zoo, playing pool (but Canadian Pool), being in the steam room at the motel (we turned it up to the highest level, and competed to see who could stay in the longest, it was painful . . . but fun, I won), among many other things.
Including, our group's trademark. We decided that we had to leave our mark in Winnepeg by making(or wrecking, but we were aiming for making) peoples day's. If you remember from one of my papers in Advanced Writing, I wrote about a ritual that we would perform during lunch time. So we would take this ritual and do it in the middle of a food court in a big mall, or in the super market, or in the pool (where we also had floatation device battles).
So picture my friends walking into the middle of the food court, then forming into a makeshift circle. We all look at each other casually, some hands are in pockets. Then suddenly my right hand shoots forward pointed to the ground in the middle of the circle, and following my lead, the others also thrust their hands in. We all hunch down, bending our knees, the word "go" is projected, but not like it usually is said, this is a rumbling sound emitted from the depths of our voice box: "Goooooooooooooooo . . ."
And as we tightly compress ourselves into a tight ball of energy, our voices still thundering, we then shoot upwards into the air . . . completely leaving the ground and shouting " Greenwave!!!!!!"
And as soon as our feet hit the ground, our faces become dead pan, emotionless. And we nonchilantly(ick spelling) walk out of the food court as if nothing happened.
That is my trip in a nutshell, I may be leaving some of it out, but it was so jam packed with adventure that it's hard to recall it all.
Oh, and have you seen "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou"?
Pablo
Don't short-change yourself on "Dr. Kev-Morkian." That one's got a certain something. Or maybe "Kevy." Try it; you'll like it.
ReplyDelete"Highway pranks" suggests the opportunity for "motor vehicle manslaughter." Don't the police take points off your license for throwing hot dog condiments into other people's cars? (At least it wasn't Hormel chili, which also is good on a hot dog.)
I used to "stomp smurfs," but then I went through detox. Ah, those memories of grade school. And congrats on surviving all rounds of Steamroom of Death (did playing it reduce your moob size?). Will you be on that reality show when it debuts on the WB in the fall?
"Nonchalantly." But have you ever done anything chalantly? I thought not.
I have not seen The Life Aquatic . . . Do you recommend it? I am currently being inundated with demands by current and former students to go see Wedding Crashers, so I feel compelled. I also think I must needs see The Fantastic Four, even though it received awful reviews. But it's a superhero movie, you know. 'Nuf said, I should think.