Pros and Cons

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Home : 2003 : October : 7

Pros and Cons
By Lisa

I would like to add to what Ron said. I really loved how eloquently you spoke about the pros and cons of inner city teaching. I find it extremely difficult with long and exhausting hours. Kids are challenging because they
don't have many good role models in their lives. Nor do they a support system of adults encouraging them to be successful or even to be the best person they can be. Many nights I come home in tears because I wonder if I am really making a difference and if I will ever get them to the benchmarks for MCAS requirements. I will say, however, that there's no other place I would rather

be because the rewards always outweigh the challenges. You see huge leaps and bounds and kids who could not be in a classroom suddenly blossom and actually build their self-esteem. They just want to be loved and praised. Every kid wants to know that someone cares about him/her and many of our inner city kids don't have that luxury. You just never know what a kid will come out with. Today for instance, I had a second grader come to me on my lunch break and ask, "What's onomatopoeia again?" He recalled me sharing some of my fourth grade student poetry from when he was in first grade the prior year. He said that he was trying to tell his second grade teacher how to spell the word. That was a defining moment for me. You just never know what a kid really takes in. If you have the desire and are willing to accept challenge, inner city schools are the best place for you to be and truly make a difference! Good luck!