I'm not sure what (advice?) I'm hoping to get from posting this, perhaps a listening ear. I am an educator of young students who have pretty severe emotional issues. Today was extremely difficult. They can be abusive (verbally and physically) and mostly I see through their behavior to the abuses that are inflicted upon them. I have taken some "Pearls of Wisdom" to my classroom and we now have, listed in plain sight on our 'Tools for Success' board Sit down as a strategy for handling anger. It helps me to think of Allah whenever they have an angry outburst, especially if I feel a spark spread out to me. Plus, I can remind them of this wonderful thought even as I myself practice it. I have read another 'pearl' that I will take to class, Steps for seeking knowledge. Because I am in a public school, I cannot speak overtly of religion, but mroe and more I see it is what these children are lacking; a belief that someone loves them and they have value.
It is so helpful to write here because today I felt so helpless in my class. Just like never going back. And it is not every teacher or person who can work daily with these children, accept their abuses with patience and hope that they will find a different way. It is so hard for them..... Sometimes it is so hard to bite my tongue :grumbling
But also I feel guilty a bit about wanting to move on, to be with other children, easy children, who will shine bright with love of learning.
Where does guilt come from anyway?
It is so helpful to write here because today I felt so helpless in my class. Just like never going back. And it is not every teacher or person who can work daily with these children, accept their abuses with patience and hope that they will find a different way. It is so hard for them..... Sometimes it is so hard to bite my tongue :grumbling
But also I feel guilty a bit about wanting to move on, to be with other children, easy children, who will shine bright with love of learning.
Where does guilt come from anyway?