Stan, I was thinking the same thing about the teacher spending her own money. It reminded me of Freedom Writers. I'm expecting teaching to take up most of my life, especially when I first start out - Will I have to get another job to pay for school supplies and other materials that I need to engage my students?
One of my Geometry teachers did something like "Big Bucks" my freshman year of high school. I remember having tons of money at the end of the year and being able to spend it. It was fun but I don't remember people sharing their money. ;)
This chapter made me uneasy, as well. You hope to have a positive impact on all your students and you want them to see that they can become someone truly great. It is going to be hard to reach those students who do not care and put little effort. I hope that I do not reach the point that Christenbury describes on pg. 106:
"Most of us will tend to avoid the truly alienated student because he or she is often not rewarding to be with. We can make a number of efforts but it is not axiomatic that they will be successful. And, in fact, some teachers, fearful of burnout, make it a point to be less than fully engaged with such students."
Hopefully that "D" that our student recieves (and a grade that is a step in the right direction!) is enough to keep us motivated to reach out to those alienated students.
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