For me personally, the chapter of The Work that has really spoken to me so far is Worker #2: The Believer. I think that Joe Manko's initial experience as a teacher at Booker T. Washington Middle School has similarities to our own:
"When I got into the classroom, that was the first time I really, really struggled with anything. It was so hard. All around me TFA had these people who were very successful in everything they do, and then they got into the classroom and they were just miserable failures. I had an absolute inability to discipline."
I believe that the disciplinary struggles faced by the teachers at this school--although rather extreme--are universal among new or inexperienced educators. People from a wide variety of skills and experience can have trouble managing a classroom and keeping students focused. Given how many of us (myself included) have expressed frustration with classroom behavior management and discipline, I feel that it is important for all of us to take this quote to heart. Remember that everyone struggles with the same issues at first, but don't let them bring you down or stop you from doing a great job and giving 100%. You will get out of SuperKids Camp what you put into it; so keep your heads up!
Christian- great reflection. I really liked this chapter too and found it to be particularly relevant to SuperKids. Managing behaviors is a really challenging this to perfect and it takes years. You have a great attitude and you are absolutely right, you will get out of SKC what you put into it.
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