This chapter was filled with information that is valuable to me as a future educator. I had some real life application from the material this week, which I am grateful for.
About a week ago, a little boy in my class shared information with me that startled me and that I knew I would need to talk to his teacher about. When I spoke to her about my concerns with what he had said, she didn't seem to find the same urgency or importance that I had when I had talked to him. So I let the issue go, thinking I had made too big of a deal out of it.
It wasn't until I reviewed the information in this weeks material, where it talks about abuse and neglect that I was reminded of the situation with the little boy. The following day, I went to his class and observed some things about him that again made me think that I needed to do some thing about it. But what? My mentor teacher didn't really want a part of it. Who was I supposed to talk to?
I am grateful for the Education department on campus. As I spoke to a few members of their council, they helped me to learn the importance of reporting cases of abuse within 24 hours. They then sat with me as I called the principal of the elementary school. I told him all of the details of the situation and the principal was very interested with the information I gave him.
This was an experience that was scary for me. I was nervous for what would happen to the little boy, nervous that I was blowing things out of proportion, and nervous for how this will effect the relationship I have with my students and with my mentor teacher. But I know that it was the right thing to do and that in the future, I will be sure to report within the first 24 hours of finding out about instances like this.
I can't help but think about how much I was prepared for this experience. We just happened to be talking about these exact topics in class this week. Maybe if it had come after, I wouldn't have been aware of what my students were telling me.
I think about the videos I watched in preparation for this week and the assignment to look up a story of abuse or neglect. Heavenly Father was aware that this little boy would tell me things and that I would need to say something.
Wow. Your experience with that little boy is crazy. It's hard to believe that the teacher didn't want to do anything about it. I am really glad that you stood up for him and told the principal. You are going to make a great teacher. What a blessing it was for us to be talking about this in class. Thank you for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteWow, your story is amazing. It is so incredible how God works, and how perfect his timing is. It just so happened that we talked about these things and these situations right before you had your experience. How cool. This helps put these things in perspective for me. Thanks so much.
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