troublemakers [View All]

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I teach part time in the evenings. My students are actually a mix of adult and HS credit students. I've been known to complain on occasion (and with good reason) about some of the kids. There is usually a reason they need to take my night class.

I received my permanent records for Fall session just recently. (Yes, they were late. They always are.) They are supposed to offer me a heads up on any of my student's particular needs or past problems; suspensions, expulsions, legal violations. health issues, etc.

In the past I've been mostly alerted to troublemakers - I was not prepared for what I read.

Four of my students are ill. I had already dropped one. Had I known, possibly I would have offered help. The other three whose conditions include Cystic Fibrosis, neurology complications. metastatic Cancer and lung removal are all in my Monday night class together - and you would never know. They have been excellent students, courteous, involved...just as the other students in this class have been. I don't know what to say. These kids are...sweet...innocent...just kids.

I've complained so much about the troublemakers who disrupt my teaching.

I would give anything to change the records on all four to "troublemaker" - to change their reality. Damn.

My heart is heavy.