David didn’t like school and did his best to do nothing. He wasn’t particularly gifted, but he showed signs of progress from time to time. I never let him just coast, so sometimes we didn’t get along. He wanted to do as little as possible and just get through the day.
On one particularly challenging day, I told him he was staying with me until he got is assignment done. He just sat, and when it came time to change classes, he got up to leave. I told him to sit down and get back to work.
“I have to go to math!”
“No, you don’t. I’ll clear everything up with your math teacher. You’re staying with me until you complete your assignment. That’s just how it’s going to be. If you need help, just say so.”
It took him the entire additional period to see the light, but just before it was time to change classes again, he handed in his work.
A month or so later, David’s attendance deteriorated. Eventually a truant officer was contacted. The administration met with David’s mom, the school counselor, representatives of the court, and David. None of the teachers were involved until a final plan was developed. Carl, the assistant principal, met with the four of us and outlined the plan.
He started off by speaking directly to me. David says he’s been skipping school because he “hates” you.
I countered with, “Well, if everyone thinks it’s best, I can get his work together for him to do elsewhere.”
And then Carl said, “No, that’s not the plan. The plan is to have David remain with you for the entire day. He says he “hates” you, but you’re the only one he’s doing anything for. Your class is the only one he’s passing. We want him to be with you for all his subjects.”
So that’s how it went. David and I worked together until Spring Break, and he moved once again. Our time together was uneventful. He didn’t always like what I asked of him, but he did what I asked. We got along just fine.
After he moved, I never heard of him again. He’s in his early sixties now. I hope he’s doing well and has given up smoking forever.