I’m frustrated with Ayodele*. For the past several months, she has called every other week to tell me she can’t meet for our tutoring session. Her reasons are always valid; she’s worked an overnight shift and is too tired to come to class, or she’s still on her shift and obviously can’t make it. She doesn’t work regular shifts, so her work is difficult to schedule. She also hasn’t been doing any homework in between classes.
Coming to class every other week and learning for three hours, with no work in between, means she isn’t learning anything. There has been such an absence of commitment that she has made no progress. In fact, she has backsliding at an alarming rate. This cannot continue.
I am going to take the blame for this because if the student isn’t learning one must first take a look at the teacher. I’m looking and don’t like what I see. I have allowed Ayodele to continue her habits for far too long. At first, my thinking was, “She forgot to do her homework, she’ll do it next time.” or “Give her a break, she has to work when they call her.” However, I’ve come to realize her lack of commitment isn’t only affecting her, it’s affecting me and other potential students I could have who are motivated to learn.
Ayodele has lofty goals…getting her GED, passing the Citizenship Exam, and more…and she isn’t going to meet any other them at the rate we’re moving. We need to talk.
* Name changed to protect the student’s identity.
