Fallen

I stopped counting when it hit 20.

For the past 3 years, more than 20 students failed in the classes I handled.  It was not easy at first.  And it is not easy until now. 

I know I'm not the strictest teachers one could have.  But I do have standards.

Nevertheless, it still disheartens when students fail - for whatever reason they may have.

I had a student who failed in my class.  I was her teacher in a different subject (where she passed) in the prior semester.  I'm not sure but I felt she was complacent this time around.  Looking at her grades, I always remind her to study harder.  I don't know what happened to her but she failed.  I submitted the grades before the deadline.  She decided to look at her grades later .. on her birthday.  Yes, she found out she failed my subject on her birthday.  I saw her a few days after and we talked.  And yes, she cried but I told her I couldn't do anything about it anymore.  Yes, I was sad.

I had another student who failed my subject.  I always reminded him during the semester to study since his grades are not quite there.  At the end of the semester, his efforts were not just enough.  He asked for reconsideration.  I told him his grade was already reconsidered.  He said that aside from my subject, he had only one subject before he could graduate.  I asked him to take the subject during the second semester so he could still graduate by March.  The subject I taught is not normally taught during the second semester.  But somehow, the subject was open by second semester.  My student passed his last two subjects in college and graduated.  At last!

Recently, I also had a student who failed.  I submitted the grades weeks before.  She said hi to me and I mentioned her grade.  It turned out that she did not yet get her grades and yes, I was the one who told her the bad news.  We talked a bit.  She cried .. and I felt sad.

I don't think I'll get used to it though.