Happy Ending?
After I sent home the e-mail about the plagiarized essay, Dad went ballistic. 
I haven’t received a volatile e-mail like that in a LONG time. He was outraged that I would accuse his son of cheating and ranted about what an awful person I was and how I never had a nice thing to say about his son. 
I think my patience hit its limit. I e-mailed him back that he should look at the essay and I’d call him the next day.
Silence via e-mail. I called after teaching and received voice mail, so I extended my invitation for after school help again to his son. Later that day, I received the signed conduct notice in my box at the office with a note scrawled at the bottom, “I still don’t agree with this.”
But you know what? The kid showed up for help. It was 45 minutes late, but he was there. I’m not sure whether he was splitting his time between teachers or whether Dad drove him back to school. In any case, we spent 25 minutes going over grammar and toward the end, I asked him to show me his note cards for his essay. The notes were fine; he just didn’t have a clue how to tranform them into paragraphs of his own. We spent the next ten minutes going over how to write an essay from notes. The more I talked with him, it was clear that he actually did know the facts–he had just panicked on the essay and didn’t know what to do. Instead of asking for help, he took the wrong path.
After we had a solid paragraph in ten minutes, I made him an offer. I would accept a HANDWRITTEN essay by him, with a significant late penalty, if he would do the work on his own. Due Tuesday. I also helped him with some supplies for his oral presentation today. By the end, he seemed excited about the presentation and he was smiling when he left.
Am I rewarding a kid for cheating? I don’t think so. I truly think he made a misguided decision. In the end, what’s important to me is that he learn how to research and write a paper. I want him to have the confidence that he can do this. Will he turn it in? Hard to say. But at the end of the day, I know I walked out with a kid who felt better about himself. To me, that’s worth it, and that’s a happy ending. What do you think? Am I being a sap to make him that kind of offer?
(I’ll probably still have hate mail in my in-box from the Dad about what an awful teacher I am.):loser: Oh well.
Yesterday I received an e-mail from the editor at M&B, reassuring me that my book is still under consideration and is sitting on the senior editor’s desk. Bless her. 
I was starting to get a little antsy. Okay, obsessive. Neurotic. Needing therapy. 
But all is well, so far, and I wrote another 3 pages on my book last night.
TV Update–
Idol: Thank goodness Taylor won!
24: Not as exciting as I thought it would be. I swear George Lucas wrote the romance dialogue on this show. Ick!
Lost: Hey, at least they have a logical explanation as to why the plane crashed. Still, I’m wondering what in the heck that “disease” storyline is. And how much do you want to bet Michael and Walt end up right back at the island?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 6:54 am | Viewed 3010 times
Stacy Says:
Sounds like you did the right thing and now both of you are happy and he’s learned much more than just a bad lesson on plagerism.
Yeah on your ms! Fingers crossed:jumping:
Peggy Says:
How nice to hear back from the editor. Takes a lot of stress off, I’m sure.
AI - I wanted Katherine to win.:hissyfit:
24 - There’s a romance??
Lost - So many questions answered only to be replaced with new ones. How confusing.
Kelly Says:
I think you made a good compromise. The kid gets a late penalty, still has to do the work and hopefully learned something in the process. I watched Lost last night and enjoyed it. Really hope Desmond didn’t die. I could handle hearing that Scottish accent every week. And I think Walt will coem back because they never finished the storyline about his apparent psychic abilities. Haven’t watched the last hour of 24, I had to tape it to watch Alias, but hopefully I’ll find some time on Sunday after the retreat. And Yay on Taylor even though I don’t watch AI unless forced by boredom.
beth Says:
I think you handled it perfectly, Michelle. The dad will probably still be mad, but you know I think he may just be one of “those” parents. On the flip side, at least he’s taking an interest in his child’s education and you’ve gotta give him props for that. As annoying as he is, you know he’s looking out for his kid. But your compromise is wonderful and you’re spot on that having the boy make a breakthrough, understand what he needs to be doing, and feel better about himself at the end of it is the main goal.
Yay for the book!
I don’t think even Lucas could have created romance that cruddy. Though it’s close. Maybe Audrey will die next season. *fingers crossed*
Crystal* Says:
Quite honestly…I think you’re a lovely teacher. And I believe you did the right thing. The dad? He should be doing this
instead of acting like this :hissyfit:.
At least his son is on the right track now.
Grins*
Rene Says:
I think you handled the student perfectly. Can I send you my kid? I wouldn’t send you hate mail.
Cripes! How long has M&B had your ms? You are far more patient than I am.
BTW, I forgot to tell you, I got the books last week. Thanks. If I can ever get through the “Da Vinci Code” :fryingpan::sleepy2: I’ll be able to read them.
Emma Sinclair Says:
I think students need to know how easy it is for teachers to tell when something is plagarized - and how easy it is for teachers to find the original source.
I think you did the right thing - if nothing else, this kid will hopefully think twice before trying to pull on over on someone else.
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
I was glad Taylor won too
Melissa Says:
I think you did the right thing, too, Michelle. You took a bad situation and turned it into a learning experience. That student will remember you and hopefully take away a sense that he had a teacher who was willing to work with him and teach him instead of just punishing him.
Tori Lennox Says:
I think you are an awesome teacher, Michelle!
LOVED Lost!!!!
As for 24… Audrey. Must. Die.
Mikk Says:
I think you did a great job with that young man in your class. I have always admired instructors that take the time to actually read a students work and critique as appropriate. Unfornate circumstances for the boy, but I imagine it is a lesson he will not soon forget.
Michelle Says:
Thanks, guys. Sometimes you go through moments of–Am I doing the right thing here? Hard to say.
As for 24–It is, quite possibly, the worst romance ever. Audry is Too Stupid To Live. I still keep hoping they’ll bring Angelina Jolie in to kick some booty.
Rene–they’ve had it since January 2005, why do you ask?
LOL.
That’s okay. I just really want to go to the Harlequin party this year. Really really REALLY.
Chris Keach Says:
You did an awesome job with both father and son! Ultimately our job is to help the students. Giving him the F and leaving it at that wouldn’t help him learn how to do it correctly. What you did was great!
Lost- No, Walt and Michael got away WAY too easily! But what was up with that phone call to Des’s ex-girlfriend?
I’ll still keep my fingers crossed for you and M & B.
I’ll be thinking of you while I hand out report cards, watch the 7th grade graduation, and send the kids off on their summer vacations tomorrow! Wohoo! Kids get dismissed at 12:30, teachers have drinks at the bar down the road by 1:00!
April Says:
I think you did a great job with the kid. If the dad spent as much time trying to actually HELP his child rather than scream and rant at everyone (probably including the child) maybe the kid would have been able to get the help he needed to begin with!
Michelle Says:
Chris–You are making me drool on my keyboard. Stop! :coffee2:
Thanks, April.
Melissa Mc Says:
YAY on hearing back from the editor! Fingers crossed.
As for LOST, according to the producers, they said they were wrapping up the Michael/Walt story line. I have not scene a cast list for 2006/7 so who knows.
LauraP Says:
You’re an awesome teacher. Exactly what that boy needs now. The dad may come around, too, but if not, his loss.
MaryF Says:
You did great, Michelle! The kid and his father will both appreciate it in the longrun. The dad just had a kneejerk reaction, I’m sure. I hope!
So happy for Taylor - SOUL PATROL!!! Loved the finale, which I just watched last night because of Lost. My son is sure we haven’t seen the last of Michael. And the call to the girlfriend raised ALL kinds of other questions. Does she know Desmond is there? Is she searching for him? She clearly didn’t get married because she had the same last name.
Olga Says:
You did the right thing, and you’re definitely a great teacher, Michelle. I’m glad the editor e-mailed you, and I hope the next news from the editor will be THE CALL!
Amy K. Says:
A sap? No way. You sound like the best kind of teacher…one who cares about her students and tries to help them. Maybe you could move to Kansas and teach my kids when they get older?
Good luck on the M&B sub!!! Got everything crossed for you!