In a sincere attempt to focus a bit on the positive in the midst of this ongoing anxiety and transition I thought I would share some of the things my teens have taught me in just these few weeks. As much as they can drive me crazy and add stress to my life, at the same time so many of them bring me joy. They'd probably roll their eyes if they knew how much Ms. Cox gets a kick out of talking to them. I really do though, and I get all the angst and drama I was exactly the same when I was their age, but even if I was giving you a hard time when you showed me you cared, I cared too. So while hopefully, they're learning from me; I'm learning from them too, eight things in fact:
1. What's "Lit"
Before my students, I was unenlightened about what is and isn't "lit." Now I know that their lives, the things they are interested, and snapchat are lit. Sometimes my tutorial sessions are lit (depends on their mood, the day, and the angle of the sun, seriously), mostly they are not. I have to say it makes my day when they say anything associated with me is "lit".
2. How to dab
I swear, I knew what dabbing was before my kids taught me how to do it. Now, though, I'm a certified cool adult. I can dab with all the youngsters (okay, not really, but they made me do it twice so now at least I can mostly not embarrass myself).
3. That I'm old
I feel old two-fold because sometimes my students tell me I am (little do they realize I'm only ten years older than the youngest of them). Or it's their references and things they're interested in. It's wild to think most of them were toddlers when I was a teenager.
4. That I work them "hard"
Now I'm all for challenging students. I would love to challenge my students further (they don't know what they're in for). But some of my students love wasting time going on about how hard I'm making them work by writing three to four sentences of their own thoughts. They'll miss this one day.
5. They're not that sophisticated
Teens love to act like they're all that and too cool for school. In the end, though, stickers, pencils, and glow sticks will totally motivate them. And sometimes they'll get engaged in your "boring" lesson, but you'll let them save face and tell you, eh, it was okay.
6. Homework is optional
At least to some kids. It's disheartening that some kids are struggling in courses because of a simple thing: they don't do project or homework or both. Thankfully this isn't every case, but a lot of kids know they could be better in this area. You can bet any kid who tells me this I'll be on them.
7. They love their phones and social media
I've been asked a lot if I have a Snapchat (for the record: No). And frequently I have to remind students to put away phones and the whole room is buzzing when they're allowed to use them at breakfast and lunch. And I get it; I love Facebook and Insta a lot, but still they're attached in a way my teenage self can't relate to.
8. They are unique
For every way I can sum up teenagers, daily I am reminded how unique and independent each of these teens are. They are smart and lazy, courageous and foolish; they are fierce, quiet, and dramatic. I'm enjoying learning who they are and realizing what a unique opportunity(in the midst of the frustration) I have to get to know these teens.
