Erin Crawford SPU 392

Reflection Log
October 29, 2019
Sequence of Events: The afternoon periods
1. Taking the students to gym practically by myself because out para was gone and we had a
substitute in.
2. As I was walking out, two teachers let me know that “K” stole something from another
teacher and I should try to get it back.
3. “R” crying after lunch asking to talk to me, I tell him to wait until I get everyone to gym
so I know everyone is where they need to be.
4. Talking to “R” outside of gym. He expressing that he knows all of the other teachers hate
him besides my coop and I and that we are the only ones that care about him, which
makes him upset.
5. Calming “R” down and going back into gym.
6. Getting a call from the office that a new student “A” enrolled today, was added to our
roster and was coming to gym.
7. Finding the thing that “K” stole on the gym shelf. I took it and held it, which sent “K”
off. “K” cursed at me and ran out of the room (typical for him). We called security.
8. We finished gym and it all went well, “K” mainly walked around the hallway right
outside of our gym room. Another student, “J,” who would normally walk out with “R”
did not after I asked him not to and then he proceeded to play with a student who is much
lower and normally does not participate well. “J” played ball with the other student.
9. I told the class we were leaving for the book room. The new student “A” then proceeded
to curse me out for the following 10-15 about how they are independent and are not
walking with us, even though we all walk as a group unless they are labeled as a “walker”
by the staff and their parents give permission.
10. I had the substitute para walk with her and I walked with the rest of the students to the
book room but as we left the building to walk there, “R” was walking in front of me and
we walked outside where “K” was sitting on the stair railing and proceeded to two-hand
push “R” for no reason. “R” then rose his fist to punch back but I went in between them
because I was confident that “R” would not swing if I was in front of him. I talked “R”
through it and told him that even though the other teachers may not think he is a good
person, I do and that he should be the bigger person and walk away, which he proceeded
to do.
11. I left “K” behind outside and took the rest of the students to the book room, with “A” still
cursing at me.
12. We got to the book room and Piller asked what was wrong with “R” because he was
crying and he proceeded to run, she followed him, leaving me in charge of the book
room. Which was fine. “A” calmed down.
Erin Crawford SPU 392

13. I let two students go on a book delivery and “K” randomly came out of a hallway and
joined without permission. He tends to convince one of the two students to make poor
choices.
14. The one student came back but “K” and the other did not show up until busses at
dismissal.
15. Everyone made it home safely though, which is was matters.

Elaboration of Two Significant Events

One challenging event I experienced this day was dealing with the “K,” specifically when
he pushed “R.” In the moment, it honestly freaked me out and I was unsure of what to do in this
situation but I acted out of instinct and jumped in between them to keep them both safe. “K” was
sitting on a ledge and “R” walked outside of the building onto the stairs. “K” just randomly
pushed “R” and then “R” proceeded to raise his fist to punch “K” back. If “R” had hit “K”, he
would have knocked him off the banister onto the pavement, almost ten stairs below him. After
“K” hit “R,” “R” said “Bro, why you hit me. I did nothing to you. Don’t touch me.” Followed by
“K” saying, “F*** you, you f****** b****. You’re a pu***.” I was able to jump in between the
students before any more fists were thrown. I talked “R” through it saying, “’R’ Stop! Walk
away ‘R.’ I know he hit you for no reason but you are a bigger person that he is. I know the other
teachers may not think you are a good person, but I do and I know you can walk away.” After
talking with “R”, he walked away from the situation, stopping what could have been a bad fight.
A positive event that happened during this day was when “J” did not walk out with “K”
and played ball with “Z.” “Z” was not participating in their centers and “J” realized that he was
not participating and walked over to him and asked him if he wanted to throw ball, which “J” has
never done before. The two of them played ball for about 10 to 15 minutes so nicely, which
made me incredibly happy! I was so proud of “J” for not leaving the room and for stepping up
without prompting to play with another student. Both students looked happy in this moment,
which was also great to see!

Analysis of Events
For the challenging events, the feelings felt were I believe anger possibly feelings of
sadness. I am honestly not sure as to why “K” pushed “R” and what caused the problem to occur
because they were not around each other before the event occurred. The questions raised in this
event were more of future thoughts for me. What would have happened if “R” did with “K?”
What would have happened if I did not physically put myself in between them? From this, I
learned how important it is to be present in all circumstances in the classroom. If I would not
have been paying attention in that moment and not ignoring “A” who was cursing at me,
someone could have seriously been injured. I am honestly so happy I was able to stop this fight
from happening before it officially began. After this event happened, we followed with “R”
checking in on our he was feeling and talked with “K” the next day. I feel as though this event
Erin Crawford SPU 392

reassured me in my beliefs in dealing with student behaviors. Sometimes you need to put
yourself in their shoes to understand where they are coming from but also that you need to know
your students well enough to know how to step in, in situations like these.
From my positive event, I think that having “K” out of the room for “J” really helped “J”
to be a better student, not only behaviorally but to his peers as well. Both “J” and “Z,” seemed so
happy while playing ball together, which made me incredibly happy. What I learned from this
event is that you can never judge a student for what you think they may be like. It is always
important to hold high standards for your students and to never expect the worse from them.