On the last day before spring break, I was getting frustrated at the lack of participation that one of my ELL students was showing.  Several times I had approached this student to put down the phone and actually work on the project.  This student always sat in the back and assumed that I would not notice.  Because of this, I paid particular attention to those who sat at the back.  Near the end of class, I decided to be stern and let this student know that I would not put up with this behaviour.  I said to this student that I am keeping her for detention after school.

I could see that the other students who overheard were shocked.   The student was shocked too.  Chances are, she had probably never been given detention because she is a “quiet” student.  I was not going to give in to this.  I try to treat all students equally and she is no exception.  She said that she didn’t have time to come after school.  When I told her that if she didn’t show up, she would have to face the consequences.

I was there after school for detention and for supervising students who wanted to finish their ceramic project.  I waited and waited.  5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes…my student did not show up for detention.  I was disappointed but now I know what was the next course of action.  I will need to talk to her counselor and reinforce the fact that teachers are to be respected and that our demands and expectations are not trivial.