Thank you, phyllis

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Thank you, phyllis
By Sharon

Thank you for your input. I loved your advice. I'll have to try that.

A while back ago, I came into sub for a sixth grade Englsh class. On the recorded phone message, the teacher said she left plans for me. Unfortunately,
there were several piles of folders all over her desk. I could not find the plans. I was new to the "game" and did not have my "bag of tricks" together yet. So, I decided to introduce myself and relate to them because I actually attended school there myself years ago. It was just after a recent episode of a school shooting, so i held a class discussion on school violence and

had them write a short essay on what they think should be done to stop the problem. The kids loved this! Things went great all day even though I could not find the plans. During the last 10 minutes of the school day, I found the plans located underneath a pile of about 30 folders. I felt bad because I could not do anything the teacher left me all day, but what could I do? I left a note to the teacher explaining this. However, three days later I was and I heard through the grape vine that this teacher hated me because of that. I've had that group of kids in several other classes since, and I noticed something. My introduction about myself and school violence stuck with them. I gained respect from the kids because they did see as some one who cared. Anytime I was back on campus and they'd see me in the hall, they would stop by just to say "hi." Other times kids would come to me about their personal problems. I might've lost the respect of one teacher, but I think the trade off was worth it. I gained the respect of 120 kids. They always do their work with me and never give me problems.
Sharon