Comments on: Killers http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/ and rockin' tha house Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:50:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Barb Cooper http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/#comment-3166 Barb Cooper Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:27:30 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/#comment-3166 I had no idea that this was your reality. I have no real idea of that kid's reality, either. Damn. What chance has that kid got? I had no idea that this was your reality. I have no real idea of that kid’s reality, either.

Damn. What chance has that kid got?

]]> By: Margaret http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/#comment-3138 Margaret Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:13:10 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/#comment-3138 I would like to have more control over the lives of these kids, and their misery--but that's a pipe dream. I guess we just have to do our best by them along the way, and hope that they turn around. Some do, and some don't. As you observed, certain kids we really like do unexpectedly horrible things. Others who seem hopeless end up surviving. I read somewhere that if kids have at least one person who loves them and that they love(a grandparent, a neighbor, etc...) they have a better shot. So, we have to continue to do what we can. I would like to have more control over the lives of these kids, and their misery–but that’s a pipe dream. I guess we just have to do our best by them along the way, and hope that they turn around. Some do, and some don’t. As you observed, certain kids we really like do unexpectedly horrible things. Others who seem hopeless end up surviving. I read somewhere that if kids have at least one person who loves them and that they love(a grandparent, a neighbor, etc…) they have a better shot. So, we have to continue to do what we can.

]]> By: Pacian http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/#comment-3115 Pacian Sat, 22 Sep 2007 13:23:30 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/#comment-3115 I can't say anything relevant or helpful except to reiterate that I continue to be amazed by you Michelle. Much respect. I can’t say anything relevant or helpful except to reiterate that I continue to be amazed by you Michelle. Much respect.

]]> By: JanePoe (aka Deborah) http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/#comment-3104 JanePoe (aka Deborah) Sat, 22 Sep 2007 02:48:37 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/#comment-3104 It's hard to look at kids who have been traumatized, neglected, abused, who've witnessed horrific things and wonder which direction they'll go ... will they become victims or perpetrators? Or will they somehow have enough resiliency to come out the other side unscathed? The problems are so much larger than one teacher or one school. Thank God, however, that there are dedicated people like yourself who are willing to foster the strengths and assets that will give them a fighting chance. Peace & love, JP/deb It’s hard to look at kids who have been traumatized, neglected, abused, who’ve witnessed horrific things and wonder which direction they’ll go … will they become victims or perpetrators? Or will they somehow have enough resiliency to come out the other side unscathed? The problems are so much larger than one teacher or one school. Thank God, however, that there are dedicated people like yourself who are willing to foster the strengths and assets that will give them a fighting chance.
Peace & love, JP/deb

]]> By: mary http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/#comment-3100 mary Fri, 21 Sep 2007 23:02:40 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/#comment-3100 Oh, wow. This makes me think of the one crazy kid I have now, who supposedly has severe ADHD (according to our school psych and our observations), has anger and attachment issues, and has already gotten into two fights in the past month. The few times he's gotten really angry for not getting what he's wanted, I've feared for my own safety, mainly because of my pregnancy. The kid didn't even realize I was pregnant until a few weeks ago, even as it's so obvious. During the first week of school, he even picked up a hole-punch and tried to throw it at the AP, who just laughed it off. Then there were my students from McHell Middle... the guns, the knives, the drugs, the sex. I wonder what's happened to them. Their family lives were so difficult, I can't even imagine keeping it together in "normal" society. Hang in there. Be safe. Oh, wow. This makes me think of the one crazy kid I have now, who supposedly has severe ADHD (according to our school psych and our observations), has anger and attachment issues, and has already gotten into two fights in the past month. The few times he’s gotten really angry for not getting what he’s wanted, I’ve feared for my own safety, mainly because of my pregnancy. The kid didn’t even realize I was pregnant until a few weeks ago, even as it’s so obvious. During the first week of school, he even picked up a hole-punch and tried to throw it at the AP, who just laughed it off. Then there were my students from McHell Middle… the guns, the knives, the drugs, the sex. I wonder what’s happened to them. Their family lives were so difficult, I can’t even imagine keeping it together in “normal” society.

Hang in there. Be safe.

]]> By: Wende http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/#comment-3099 Wende Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:52:39 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/#comment-3099 Even the guilty need our compassion, eh? That's just so much easier to say than to actually DO. That you do it on a daily basis never ceases to impress me, Michelle. I always say it, but I'll say it again. Take care of YOU. Even the guilty need our compassion, eh? That’s just so much easier to say than to actually DO. That you do it on a daily basis never ceases to impress me, Michelle. I always say it, but I’ll say it again. Take care of YOU.

]]> By: Ken Albin http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/#comment-3098 Ken Albin Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:17:55 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2007/09/21/killers/#comment-3098 Geez, Michelle! I don't think I could stay in the same room with those two you mentioned. Especially the one who hurts animals. They say that people who are the more serious killers of people usually start out in life by harming animals. I wish I could be as forgiving as you but my first inclination would be to get him locked up for as long as possible. No wonder you are feeling burned out. Having to face kids who are coming from such dismal situations has to be one of the hardest teaching situations. Some things are just beyond our ability to help. I guess we can just do what we can and hope that they change. Geez, Michelle! I don’t think I could stay in the same room with those two you mentioned. Especially the one who hurts animals. They say that people who are the more serious killers of people usually start out in life by harming animals. I wish I could be as forgiving as you but my first inclination would be to get him locked up for as long as possible. No wonder you are feeling burned out. Having to face kids who are coming from such dismal situations has to be one of the hardest teaching situations. Some things are just beyond our ability to help. I guess we can just do what we can and hope that they change.

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