When a plan doesn't come together!

If I were to compare myself to a TV hero, because that's what I sit around thinking about (you know I'm joking): I'm torn between MacGyver (from MacGyver), or Hannibal (A-Team). Why these two shows you ask?
Well during our technology deprived childhood in Johannesburg, South Africa -which was home until aged 18- we spent very little time in front of the TV. For that I'm grateful, though some cultural references are still lost on me today.
I remember our very first colored TV that had a remote control. I was around 6/7years old and that was a momentous occasion in our house. Broadcasting only began at 3pm and went off air at 9pm. Not only did we have a limited viewing window but every day alternated between English and Afrikaans. Five American shows hit the local channel (notice my intentional use of the singular version of that word "channel"). Dynasty, Falcons Crest, Dallas, MacGyver and the A-Team.
The first three were aired past bedtime, however the latter two came on air before the news. Not only that, but my parents' best friends owned a video store. We were given a box of all A-Team and MacGyver episodes.

I learned to play the theme songs on the piano and ....oh, sorry, I digress! 
So while MacGyver was a creative genius who could solve any problem with a paperclip and a stick of gum, I was thrilled by the diversity of the A-Team. And when Hannibal would place his cigar in his mouth and declare " I love it when a plan comes together!" the triumphant soundtrack would begin. No matter how derailed and chaotic, jumbled or seemingly nonviable their plan appeared, it would in fact all come together in the end.

So, I do have an educational point here!

There is a family (new to the area). I've been teaching the two school aged students; visited their home a few times; taken them home after extra tutoring, dined with them, advocated for them in numerous occasions regarding school athletics, instructional supports etc etc etc).  And yet, one student is not doing his part. My assistant has reported that he flirts in class, doesn't do classwork or homework and just isn't pulling his weight.

Since most of my teaching experience has been at the elementary level, this attitude is relatively new to me and is driving me crazy. The plan is NOT coming together and this frustrates me to no end. At some point for this (close to aging out of school) refugee immigrant, the pieces of the puzzle will either fall into place OR they won't. Or perhaps the timing of his puzzle (vision of his future) will have to get a whole lot fuzzier and remain unfinished for a while.
Either way, I'll keep my bag of tricks at the ready and pick out a cigar with his name on the wrapper.....for one day, hopefully in the not to far off in the future!

Comments

  1. Mary Ann StewartJanuary 25, 2015 at 2:57 PM

    Thanks for the memories - and for sharing your early TV experience! Good luck with your student.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2015 at 5:46 PM

    You do a great job of keep all your students on your radar. They are fortunate to have you as their advocate and for holding the bar high for them. I'm going to ask a question here to ponder......What is his currency? Would knowing his currency help him engage more in school and drive a clearer future? Thanks for sharing! http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/feb10/vol67/num05/Start-Where-Your-Students-Are.aspx

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"How do you measure a year in the life?"

Image
How about love..........? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvyHuse6buY https://40.media.tumblr.com/15076e176eefe1a2a7138caee69fa67f/tumblr_mlfd1gBlnw1qad707o1_500.jpg One of my ALL TIME favorite musicals - RENT! As this year draws to an end I have to reflect back on HOW I chose to measure this year: it's successes - it's failures, it's moments that have brought me to tears or to uncontrollable laughter. I know for sure that the number of cups of coffee have kept a certain (cough cough K cup company in business). For the first time as an ELL specialist I have had the privilege to work with High School students - which have been my highlight of my day (most days). They have inquired about language, life and have invited me into their homes. The family dynamic has never been so important to me as an educator, after meeting these students - and their families. Isn't that ironic - as we usually see 'hands off' attitudes on either side of the partnership at
Read more

2016 One Word: Intentional

I returned this past Saturday after spending one week in Taiwan and experienced two of the most emotionally difficult days of my adult life, as well as spending Christmas on a 14.5 hour flight and New Years in a hotel room with my son sleeping beside me. #1: Meeting my new son (Edward- aged 12), sitting in court and committing to be his legal guardian and then having to say goodbye for two or so more months before he joins our family. #2: Then visiting a women's prison a mere 15 minutes away from our hotel with my middle son to see his birth mother. Watching tears stream down first her face, and then his - and having to leave that tiny bleak room, knowing that he may never see her again. It wasn't until Sunday morning when we were taking down our Christmas tree, when my eldest adopted son (James-now aged 18) responded to my almost rhetorical question with a nugget of wisdom I needed to hear again. I nonchalantly asked: "how come it takes so much longer to put this
Read more

Anchor down!/ "Anchors away"?

Image
1) Don't cheat and scroll down first! 2) Promise to stop and watch the youtube videos to take in the full effect of this written message! *** promise??*** ok! THERE COMES A TIME in everyone's life - heck sometimes daily when we make this decision. Almost like "flight or fight?" except I like to name it Anchor down/Anchors away? I came to terms with a lot of identity issues for myself this past year (as it was my 40th year). I also had a serious conversation with myself during my times of reflection about being authentic .  My PLN knows more about me from our conversations and heart felt communication during the course of the past 6 months than some of my co-workers of 4 years. And you know what? No one is to blame but me. I can't hold it against them if I chose not to 'show my skin' - pun intended.  There are layers of facade that we all put up - especially in education. We feel this need to create a barrier between personal and
Read more