Chapter 7! - Rachel Mosher

Creative Connector

Pg. 121: “I certainly wouldn’t have expected him to be the kid to wage a one-person campaign against Ms. Reilly’s threatened early retirement.”

            When I read this story on Samuel’s letter to Ms. Reilly, it made me think about my own experiences in high school with the “bad” kids in school. Those kids were looked at by teachers as students who just don’t care about school and did whatever they wanted to because they didn’t care about school. A lot of the teachers in high school simply dismissed those students and didn’t pay much attention to them now that I think back on my classes in high school. I had seen some teachers lose it on these kids and could tell that these teachers had had it with school and some of the “bad” kids they had to deal with. When I read Samuel’s letter to Ms. Reilly, I felt sad thinking about those “bad” kids in high school who wouldn’t be expected to care and be the “Samuel” to stop a teacher from early retirement because they cared. Those “bad” kids did care and it’s a shame that most teachers don’t see that until it gets to a point where teachers just can’t take it anymore.

Pg. 125: “Unfortunately, neither Ruby’s nor Sam’s letter made much of an impact on the intended teacher.”

            I don’t really have a connection with this quote, but I was very moved and shocked by this statement. I can’t believe letters such as there written with true heart and soul from these kids were not addressed by either teacher. This wasn’t a written assignment they were forced to do, it was true and real and a message from each of these students crying out for help for someone to hear them! For both teachers to dismiss them is a slap in the face to both of these students who probably already felt like they didn’t have a voice. After having their letters dismissed and never addressed, I’m sure it scarred them even more than before and gave them a feeling of worthlessness, like nobody cared.

Pg. 128-129: When Mayra comes to Mr. Michie’s room after school to talk about her problems.

            I loved this moment between Mr. Michie and Mayra. Its little moments like this throughout a school day that can change a day for a student and make it a little bit better. Mr. Michie noticed the Mayra had been acting different and knew something was up so just asked to talk to her and when she did, she felt better and Mr. Michie was more aware of her circumstances. I had a teacher in high school that reminds me a lot of Mr. Michie. This particular teacher used to always have his door open for students to talk with him before or after school and during study halls. Students trusted him and felt that he was fair and they could talk to him about their problems. Sometimes, all a student needs it someone to listen.

Essence Extractor

Teachers provide students with the tools to learn, and ears to listen.

I am the Discussion Director this week!:-)