I recently was asked to visit another school that was having some personnel issues, and behavior issues during lunch. It was an eye opening experience. Behavior was about as bad as I have seen during my 6 years working in the schools. I watched the monitor that was there working, she was short with the kids, grouchy in your face type. Looked like she really didn't like her job, no positive interactions with the kids at all. She acted like she hated her job, and didn't like kids at all. Granted we all tend to get a little shorter on patience as year end draws closer, but this was more than that.
When I initially was thinking about what makes me good at my job, I had thought it was school make up, the majority of kids at my school have involved parents, don't want to go to the office or have mom called about behavior, that their fear of getting in trouble was my leverage. And in a small way that may help. But when I went to the cafeteria that was out of control and had some positive interaction with kids that didn't know me at all, I saw the kids respond. Light bulb moment for me, I realized that it is my willingness to interact with the kids in a positive manner. To talk to them, rather than yell at them. To listen to their stories, get on their level, receive their hugs, high fives and silly jokes like it's the first time I've ever heard it. To correct their poor choices, and offer them a clean slate the next day. Do I get along with all the kids? Honestly no, there are some that rub me the wrong way, but I'd like to think that they can't tell it. Guess to sum it up, I try to treat them like my own kids, and I know I'm doing my job right, when they see me out and about after school hours and they approach me wanting to say hi, talk or even give me a hug. It may not be the most glamorous job in the world, one that people look down on, but I really do love my job.
