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Thread: Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

  1. #1
    God/dess Bella21's Avatar
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    Default Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

    So, one of the pre-req classes for the teaching program I'm applying to... Um, the teacher is having us tutor foster children. Each student is assigned to a foster kid (ages 5-19) to tutor for 20 hours this semseter. We're supposed to go over to their home and set goals and work with them to achieve those goals. It's supposed to be really really good for getting us in the credential program (he says that once you can teach foster kids, you can teach anyone). Omg, but I'm soooo nervous! I've never tutored anyone before! What if the kid is mean to me? The more I think on it, the more relaxed I feel about it... I hope I get a cute little boy or something!
    If you think school is hard, try being stupid.

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    God/dess PookaShell's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

    It will be okay, just remember to be assertive and in control from the start. If the child is the type to act out, it will be to test you - once he's tested you and you have proved that it won't fly, he might settle down. Haha, like babysitting only more educational. This sounds like it would be a good expereince. I want to be a teacher too. Good luck!

    P.S. If you get a cute little boy he's gonna have a crush on his sexy tutor, haha.

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    God/dess leilanicandy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

    Hey Thats great, Foster children have it so ruff. It might be a differcult task. But I hope you can create a bond that will make it a wonder experience.
    If you want the present to be differant from the past, study the past.
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  4. #4
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

    If they give you shit, give it right back. A foster kid is going to look for weakness first. You to have to prove you're strong enough to earn his/her respect. That doesn't mean you have to be a dick; you just have to play their games.

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    God/dess Bella21's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

    Like how? I mean, I don't even know how old the kid will be... how do you "give them shit"? What kind of stuff do you think they'll do? Just stare into space and not respond to me? He said he'd give us the rest of the info next class and left so much unanswered... I'm like, UGH! He got sidetracked talking about how the teachers might strike...
    If you think school is hard, try being stupid.

  6. #6
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

    I just meant take your cues from the kid. I was once teaching a twelve-year-old boy who liked making vulgar, gross comments about my body. Finally I told him that if he actually paid attention to the lesson, he might actually be interesting enough to SEE a female body one day. He was surprised I'd said it and he straightened right up. So just don't let them control the situation. YOU are the teacher, and you have to be 100% in charge!

    It seems obvious, but a lot of people don't get that.

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    God/dess Bella21's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

    ^Sometimes I have a problem with being assertive. I've been getting better... But yea, I guess it's time for me to really work on that problem. Heh, and that was a great comeback.
    If you think school is hard, try being stupid.

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    God/dess PaigeDWinter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

    Quote Originally Posted by Bella21 View Post
    (he says that once you can teach foster kids, you can teach anyone).



    Cause.... foster kids are predisposed to not being teachable?
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    God/dess Bella21's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

    ^Yea, seems kind of rude huh? I thought that, too... But I think he was trying to say that they would be more difficult than what I would normally come across. Except... I think I'm the only person going into special education in that classroom...
    If you think school is hard, try being stupid.

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    God/dess PaigeDWinter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

    Quote Originally Posted by Bella21 View Post
    ^Yea, seems kind of rude huh? I thought that, too... But I think he was trying to say that they would be more difficult than what I would normally come across. Except... I think I'm the only person going into special education in that classroom...

    I dunno if they'd ALL be more difficult than any other kids really. Call me devil's advocate, but having been a kid in one part of "the system" (no, not foster care), I get grumbly when these kids get generalized about.
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    God/dess Bella21's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

    Quote Originally Posted by PaigeDWinter View Post
    I dunno if they'd ALL be more difficult than any other kids really. Call me devil's advocate, but having been a kid in one part of "the system" (no, not foster care), I get grumbly when these kids get generalized about.
    Oh of course not, it's a generalization! For example, I'm praying for the sweet little boy (I know he's out there with my name on him! Well... or the 15 year old girl, yikes!). We're being assigned to different sorts of living conditions (from having foster parents to this foster child highschool nearby where the kids live there, too!), so there's going to be a huge difference... But even "normal" kids can be unruly... so I'm a bit nervous... Still, I've been feeling increasingly better about it!
    If you think school is hard, try being stupid.

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    Default Re: Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

    At first he/she may try to test you to see how much they can get away with. Don't let anything slide. Like someone on here said, don't take any disrespect and don't let any negativity affect you personally. You need to set boundaries/rules from the beginning. Rules and discipline make kids feel more secure. Once you have their respect, make sure to REWARD THEM for a job well done. Even words of praise "Good job, I knew you could do it!" will encourage them to keep going.
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  13. #13
    aussiepunkshocker
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    Default Re: Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

    It could be a challenge but meet it with enthusiasm, it will be a good accomplishment!
    My sons dad works with kids who have no families and god he's good at it!
    So many of the kids he has worked with have had not just their families give up on them but carers too, even people in the same job as my sons dad, its so sad! (Note just to start with this often means both parents, 2 sets of grandparents and aunts and uncles and siblings.)
    Its very sad and honestly no child is really that bad but due to drawing some of lifes short straws yeah they can act that way. IMO alot of that is a reaction to being abandoned and sometimes having put up with alot of abuse, and the fact that they have not had anything stable in their lives or anyone in their lives for more than a short period of time etc.
    Of course you need to be firm if the kid plays up you cant let them run rings around you, but you dont have to be nasty if they do act up or act awkward. Remember at first youre just going to be another person coming into their lives and the odds are for them so far that you could be as shitty as all the rest. If you can make the tutoring sort of light and fun to star with, you'll probably both wont feel so nervous. Good luck!

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    Default Re: Tutoring A Foster Child... Nervous!

    Yea, don't worry so much about yourself, Set goals for yourself and move within them!

    20 hours means 20 hours with the STUDENT, You'll be spending TONS of time in the off hours to make those 2 hours most productive. I suggest pm'ing tampadancer for help, she has experience here.

    But set goals for yourself. Like first 2 hours: Decide what he needs the most work on. Take that back, and build your goal sheet for the remaining 18 hours.
    People are not ruled by their memories.

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