I am working at the Peoria Alternative High School, known throughout the community as the "Last Chance" school. I thought I would be dealing with the students who have been expelled from their home high schools. After meeting with my cooperating teacher I have a better understanding of what I will be dealing with.
While it is referred to as the "Last Chance" school, even by those students attending the school, it only allows 100 students in the building, allowing class size to be rather small. Also, these kids are ones who have been expelled or in trouble in the past, but they have chosen to go back to school. Therefore, the students I will be dealing with understand that the school is their last chance before they aren't allowed back into the public schools; they want to be there. Class size is anywhere from 5 to 12 students and the rules are very clear: do it or get out.
Realizing the type of student I will be dealing with is a little different than my initial observance, I came to the conclusion that I made a basic mistake by going in with a pre-judgement. Not all of the kids were expelled for violence or drugs, etc. Some were in the wrong spot at the wrong time, such as a girl who got expelled for being with some friends who got caught smoking pot during school. I am very excited to begin my lessons with the class.
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