Dear Ms. Jackson,
I am sorry for misbehaving, and playing, and eating candy, and causing distractions. It will not happen again. Sorry.
Sorry.
Tag Archives: middle school
Dear Malakai
Dear Malakai,
Your actions in class today were unacceptable for a rising 7th grader. In fact, the choices you made would even be considered appalling if the children in my mom’s 2nd grade classroom acted in a similar way.
My rules are fair and consistent. I know that you feel like I was “picking on” you. Let’s review what happened, so you can understand why you earned a seat in lunch detention.
1. Stay in your assigned seat, unless otherwise instructed: When we have partner work time, you are not allowed to get out of your seat and wander around the classroom. Randall is not your reading partner. I have paired you with Angelique to encourage you both to become better readers and to help you stay on task.
2. Follow all directions the first time they are given: It is against school rules to eat candy during class. I was not being unfair or unreasonable when I asked you to return to your seat, throw away the Easter candy and to stop distracting the class.
3. Respect yourself and others: Saying “ok byeeeeee!” and waving your hand in my face was a disrespectful and immature way to handle your emotions.
I do not tolerate rude behavior in my classroom. It doesn’t matter if the disrespectful attitude is directed at another student, male or female, or an adult of any level of authority. You don’t get to choose whom to respect. I expect that we share a mutual respect in this classroom, whether or not we agree with a teacher, whether we are friends with a student or not.
I’m disappointed with the choices you made today. You know how to behave, and you are choosing to be willfully defiant.
I will, however, continue to show you respect and fairness, even when you choose to be rude and unruly. Part of being fair is following through with consequences. You broke three class rules today, and you will sit at lunch detention as a result. If you have further questions about what you did wrong and what my expectations are, I will gladly talk to you when you have calmed down and are in a reasonable state of mind.
All my love,
Ms. Jackson
From Ines
Mrs. Jackson
Funny, beautiful
Laughing, smiling, loving
She is always smiling
BFF
Mrs. Jackson my best friend!
From Catalena
Dear Ms. Jackson,
Thank you for asking me yesterday I was ok. Thank you for talking to me yesterday. Thank you for taking the time from your day to talk to me and to just hear me out. I have never been that open and honest with anyone before, and for me to talk to you like that, I think it was better for me. Ms. Dunlap already talked to me earlier. I think all of this is going to help me, so thank you.
From Ahmad
Dear Ms. Jackson,
I had a great day today, and I didn’t get in trouble in any of my classes. Overall, I think I had a great day, and Ms. Jackson thank you for motivating me to do better in school.
From Chellise
Dear Ms. Jackson,
I am sorry for not being honest and (not) being a leader. Next time I will, but I don’t think there will be a next time. So, once again, sorry!!!
From Bernardo
Even when you get mad, you suck it up and calm down. You also love us very much and is very nice.
Dear Rosa
Dear Rosa,
I just finished reading All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Riveting and suspenseful, the book is one of my new favorites, and I would highly recommend that you read it.
One of the main characters, Werner, is a young German boy growing up in the shadows of Hitler’s Third Reich. Werner is a genius – an expert at fixing radios and solving math and science problems. His dream is to become one of Germany’s leading scientists, but as war ravages Europe, his plans must be put on hold, as he is required to fight.
At one point, his commanding officer, watching Werner repair equipment with brilliance and speed, remarks sadly, “What you could be.”
I had a moment today where the same wondering floated to my mind as you creatively and analytically approached the final details of your group project.
What you could be.
…If you dumped your deplorable boyfriend.
…If you hadn’t texted him a revealing picture of yourself.
…If you believed that you deserved more than a 12-year-old boy who would exploit you by sharing that photo with his friends.
What you could be.
An 11-year-old in healthy relationships her friends and her family.
A student on the path to college and greater opportunity.
A young woman who defies the stereotypes about “girls from this neighborhood.”
What you can be.
It’s not too late. You can still be all of those things and so much more than anything I’ve dreamed up for you. What’s holding you back? Do you believe you deserve more than this? That you could be, can be so much more?
I know you’re not facing Hitler’s Germany. But you are facing internal obstacles that are challenging nonetheless. More than determining whether you are in love with a young man, you are also learning how to love and respect yourself.
What you could be is ultimately up to you. Who are you today? Who are you becoming?
All my love,
-Ms. Jackson
From Angelique
Dear Taye
Dear Taye,
In the awkward moment of calm after the chaos today, I slowly surveyed the classroom. Jerome was perched in his desk, knees by his face, turned toward the back of the room. Lincoln’s head hung low, as he squeezed a torn paper in his fist. Nikkya, Amber and Marcela were crying softly, and the echoes of my unpleasant tirade made the room feel thick with anger.
“Man! This would’ve never happened in my old class!
Your voice, stronger and clearer than I’ve ever heard it, sliced through the frustration in the room.
“I want to learn things!”
I could not contain my disbelief. In a matter of minutes, you transformed from a whiny, often off-task preteen from my 2nd period class into a scholar-leader of 3rd period. I have never heard you say that you want to learn.
Looking a Jerome, still contorted in the desk in front of you, you became a young man of conviction and leadership.
“Come on man, you need to get serious! Face the front!”
Jerome giggled awkwardly but refused to budge, while the rest of us held our breath in admiration of your courage and conviction.
“Now, come on. You know how to do this. Put your feet under your desk! Get with it. Sit up straight! Look at the teacher! Man, this is baby stuff. Move it.”
Not only did Jerome listen to you and change his actions, but did you notice that Lincoln lifted his head and dropped his paper? Even Julian straightened up and faced the front.
I couldn’t have done a better job of getting the class back on task. In fact, you showed more maturity and leadership than I did today. I let the frustration get to me, and I yelled. You took the same emotion and calmly but firmly addressed the class as one of their own and simultaneously as a leader who was ready to rise above pettiness and learn.
Honestly, I was initially against the schedule change that caused you to move to this class. As you witnessed today, there is a unique blend of personalities in this room that can bring out the worst. Or, in your case, bring out the best.
I am proud of you, inspired by you and thankful that you are in this class. I promise that you will learn in 3rd period. We all will, with your help.
All my love,
-Ms. Jackson
Rivers & Roads 