Why?

 Why do some teachers choose to ignore students who are "low" in academics?  

I subbed in a  3rd grade classroom last week.  The very young teacher was there to give me the lesson plan and comment on students.  She commented on a student:  "He is very low.  If he doesn’t do the work the rest of the class is doing, just ignore him.  That is what I do."  

So readers, how would you feel if you had a teacher that chose to ignore your child in school?  OMG!  I would be there in a meeting with the teacher and the principal!  

So here is the amazing thing that I saw that afternoon.  I was reading a book to the students about the life cycle of a butterfly.  I would stop periodically and review with the students to see if they were listening.  They WERE listening and responded well. Next, the amazing thing occurred!  The student who was supposedly "low" handed in some work.  He did not write about the stages, but he drew me pictures!  I looked at his work and praised him.  OMG!  I connected with this little guy.  I think because his regular teacher has such low expectations for him that is why he does not participate in her class.  His performance made MY day!

It is a day like this that makes subbing worthwhile.  However, these days are rare!  I was validated as a teacher on that day, in that school, by a little boy that had been mislabeled by a young teacher.  I wonder where this little boy will be academically at the end of the year?  I hope someone rescues him from that classroom…sooner than later.