[henrydavidtherobot]

I've been feeling very down lately. This is all exacerbated by a "break up" and feeling like I rarely have anything to look forward to.

I watched an inspirational doc last night to lift my spirits. It was about good people doing good things for the needy. I was reminded that I still have my philanthropic efforts (I'm an active activist for many causes) and that at least that I know that helping people makes me happy and that you can't help people "wrong".

Also, I've been trying to keep my spirits up about my TAship starting today. I teach a small class. It's for an internship that I've been involved with for two semesters that promotes equality and risk reduction strategies. I was excited to get this gig because I really care about this cause, know a lot about it, and really need something to make me feel "good" or "important".

Anyway, so today one of the new kids was a bit obstinate from the beginning by refusing to put forth any enthusiasm and was annoyed at me for encouraging her. Then, when we got to the rape legality part, she said that she didn't agree with part of our presentation and wouldn't do that part of the presentation or talk to students about it if they asked. RAPE education and prevention is a huge part of our program. I tried to respectfully explain its importance to her and how it really was not OK to refuse to do part of the presentation. She copped an attitude with me by saying things like "I don't know why you care so much" and then said that she's just go to my boss about it. I believed that I handled it as professionally as possible.

My boss wants to talk to me about it. I don't think that I am in trouble, but am not looking forward to criticism. I'm pretty bummed that one of my students would be so disrespectful to me and that I would be placed on the spot for humanitarianism. Can't I have something go right? Why are people so disrespectful and mean sometimes?t

[anneo59]

I wouldn't get discouraged but see what boss says and keep student reaction in mind. And just be careful. It happens, and you don't want to be misunderstood to your detriment, even if you are trying to do the right thing. From a veteran teacher! You take care!

[henrydavidtherobot]

I talked to my boss and I'm emailing the student. It just seems so mean. I would never do that to a class facilitator, ESP if she was 23, having her first day, and not getting paid.

[healingme4me]

Hope that the talk with your boss, goes in your favor. Being here, in PC, sounds like this triggered a whole bunch of stuff from this student.

My advice, looking at the bigger picture, one student out of many others. It's not your fault. Don't know what motivated her to be in a class, that she clearly doesn't want to participate in, but some people seem adverse to authority, of any kind.

Someone recently mentioned to me Verbal Judo. I haven't read much more about it, than a brief synopsis, but things like this, I am sure will come up, again, in a teaching career, or any career for that matter.

Could be a learning experience for you, to gain something from it?

Keep us posted