Blog #5

 One thing I have learned about myself is that I need to hold my ground more. To my surprise, many of my students will lie or manipulate me to get what they want. For example, one time my mentor was not in the room, and two students asked me to go to the bathroom. When I was at Orange, the policy was one at a time to go the bathroom, so I assumed that it would be the same now. I told the girls that one could go, and when she got back the other could go. However, they said that Coach Gold always lets them go to the bathroom at the same time, so I believed them. Just as I let them go, however, Coach Gold spotted them and told them that they had to go one at a time to the bathroom. Despite my believing that they should go one at a time because I was new and didn't know the policy, I let myself get pushed over by a couple of fourth graders. This instance taught me to hold my ground on what I think is right, and more importantly, ask questions if I am not sure about something. A similar thing happened later in the week: when Coach Gold was dealing with a situation outside the Gym, I was left to be the ref for the game. I thought the kids would have no problem with this, and treat my rulings with the same respect that they would treat Coach Gold's with. However, almost every call I made was followed by a complaint or a dispute. I am not sure if it is an age thing or if it is because they are not used to me, but in the moment I needed to set my foot down and make them listen. This taught me to speak with confidence and be assertive, working to gain the respect of the students.