|
You can tell from the increasing array of categories on Scribbler's Den that I am struggling to pigeon hole my posts. So, to try and fix this, I am creating yet another category. The irony does not escape me. This new category is the Journal category and in it I will put the random events from my teaching experience. Enjoy:)
Walking into class the other day my eyes were drawn to the contents of a student's backpack. I don't normally spy on student belongings but I couldn't help myself. He was fiddling around in a zipped compartment and I think he was either turning his phone on or off. Phones attract my attention because I am a gadgetphile. Is that a word? Anyway I love gadgets.
What took me aback was that beside his phone was a packet of cigarettes! This student is just out of Year 9 and starting his first senior year in Year 10 (15 years of age). Way too young, in my mind, to be smoking. Later when I checked the contents of the packet I saw that he had rollies inside (roll your own cigarettes). Does this mean he is a practised smoker?
I am compelled to report an infraction of this kind to my administration and because of his remorseful attitude upon being busted I chose a member of the administration staff I thought would be fair to him. The ball is still rolling on this one so I don't yet know what the consequences of his actions will be.
I have two questions about this incident. Firstly why is he smoking when everything around him is screaming don't be an idiot? Media, his peers and staff would all advise him against risky behaviour like this. Is it attention seeking behaviour? It must be because he surely can't really be ignorant of the addictive qualities of smoking let alone the carcinogens his body would be ingesting.
Secondly I wonder at how his behaviour in class will be. Will he take out his frustration and anger at being caught on me? I hope he won't become a destructive influence in class but his tendency toward rebellious behaviour is clearly already manifesting itself.
Time will tell.
 |
