Hello! It has been awhile since I last posted. I am having a difficult time at work the past two days and am at a lost for what to do.
I work as an English teacher at a Japanese preschool. My class last year was phenomenal. I started 1/2 way through the school year and... well, they made me love every day of my job.
There are several classes at my school. Level 1 (2-3 year olds), Level 2 (3-4 year olds), Level 3 (4-5 year olds) and Level 4 (5-6 year olds). According to the law, I can only have 22 3 year olds in my class. This means, that they had to put Level 2 into Class A and Class B. I am Class A. My class has 15 students. 9 of those students are brand new to the preschool and have never attended school in their life. Class B has 14 students, 2 of which are brand new to the school, and the rest are from the Level 1 class. The Level 1 class learns basic English phrases, Basic Colors, and Counting 1-10.
So, here I am with more students than the other teacher, and almost all of the new students. I only speak a little Japanese, so it is difficult to communicate with the children anyways. I was a bit annoyed, and asked the principal if it would be possible to move the students around so that both Class A and Class B had new students. But, she said to wait and see how the first week went. The first day was yesterday. It was awful.
And, yes... it was the first day, so I figured that they were just excited or nervous or some other feeling. And I completely understand that it is frustrating to have someone understand only about half of what you say. So, I went home. Grabbed a rum and coke and sat down to work on a game plan to make today a better day. It worked... mostly.
14/15 of my class did much better today. I got them to all sit down, and I gave a quick lesson on the classroom rules, following directions, the consequences of breaking the rules, etc. But... I have this one boy... and we are just not clicking.
He cusses at me and calls me an idiot whenever I try to get him to do anything. He runs out of the classroom and up to the second floor (dangerous to go upstairs by himself). He runs outside when no one is outdoor. He chucks toys and other kids (hit two people in the head today). The vibe I'm getting is that he is very spoiled and attention-seeking.
I've sat down with a translator and explained to him, calmly, why what he is doing is dangerous and why he is getting a time out. We explained what a time out meant, and what would happen if he continued to behave badly. First, he has three time outs with me. Then, he has three time outs with the vice principal. And then, we will call his parents. He said he understood. Yesterday, this didn't work. Today, I sat with him again and we explained everything. I made him a private behavior sheet. To show him, where he was. So that way, he has a way to recognize which step he is on for his behavior. His behavior was just as bad as it was yesterday. We called his parents yesterday and today, to try and figure out a game plan to make his transition into preschool easier.
I feel as if we just don't click. I want to swap one student with Class B. Class B had a mother complain because she doesn't like the teacher. So, I want to switch that student with the student that I am having trouble with. That way, my student goes into a class that has already had a year of preschool and is more focused and then I'll take the Class B student and have her help with the new students in my class. I mentioned this to the vice-principal and she said it was too difficult and that the boy's mother might be mad if we switch him (Even though the principal said to wait to see how the first week went to switch students around).
I'm a bit stuck on what to do with him. What do I do with this new student? Should I try to swap him into the other class? I feel bad wanting to swap him, but I also think that the more advanced class where the kids already know how to do everything, would be better for him... *sigh*
Suggestions?