Since my last post I believe I have made a lot of progress with Michael. He has been struggling during Spanish and his teacher has been getting frustrated with him. As a team we brainstormed about getting him a tutor to pull him out during Spanish to work with him one-on-one. Immediately, I thought of my best friend. She wants to teach abroad in Spain and she has the patience of an angel. She came in on Thursday this past week to meet him. He was really excited about meeting a friend of mine. They had lunch together, and then he took her out to recess. I think they formed an immediate bond. He was so calm with her and excited to show her around. She’ll volunteer with him twice a week and I really hope this will make some kind of an impact. I am truly passionate about helping Michael and I want him to be successful.
He has had a few incidents occur these past few weeks that have set him back. However, working with stickers as a positive reinforcement has been working surprisingly well. He always asks me to give him a sticker.
A funny story I have about him is last week during our learning lab I got distracted by a little girl who was acting out. I turned around to look and then I turned back to look at him and reminded him to stay focused and he called me out. He said something like “Ms. Saavedra you aren’t focusing either.” I tried not to laugh but he caught me off guard with his behavior. He sounded like me. It kind of took me aback and put me in his shoes.
I’m kind of nervous that being on Spring Break in a week is going to undo everything I’m worked so hard for with him. I’m crossing my fingers that everything will work out 
Wow Claudia-What a good idea to have a friend of yours come in the work with Michael. This allows him to form a bond with someone outside of the classroom and hopefully will be someone that he continues to respond positively to. You seem to be doing so much for your student and I think that is fantastic.
I think Spring Break will be fine, maybe even a good break for him (and you!). When you do come back you may have to restate your expectations but I have no doubt that you will follow through and be successful! Enjoy your time off!
Sounds like you have made some great growth with your student. I hope that the tutor will help him to be more successful in Spanish. I think it is great that you student response so well to stickers! I thought that my group of kids had outgrown that, but maybe I should give it a try.
Spring Break is a little nerve-racking for everyone. I think we will have to do a lot of reviewing when we get back and be very firm again. It is the last stretch of the school year and I wonder if they will be even more crazy?! ha
I cannot believe we only have 3 weeks left! This went by way too fast.
p.s. Thanks for the inspirational quote on your comment!
Claudia,
how went spring break? I was worried that behavior management would become a focus following spring break; but I found that when my kids returned they were quiet and ready. It was almost like they were glad to be back at school (which was comforting). Did you find that with Michael by any chance?
Also, good work on the tutor front! I envy the luxury you have of being so close to campus. Last year during our 412 placement, I matched one of our ‘trouble’ students with a football player I tutored at the time. The effect was immediate and massive. I think it sends a strong message to children when we allow them to interact with stakeholders who are not teachers or parents. One thing we encountered, though, was an issue with consistency . Because this student had some behavioral issues he didn’t have a ton of coping skills when the football player doesn’t come (which he sometimes didn’t due to scheduling etc). It doesn’t sound as thought you’ll run into that problem and I hope the best for you and michael!