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Tips for working with troubled teens?
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zumbamama
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I agreed to do an outreach program for low-income teens in the hood. My first class was today—it was quite an experience. They had never heard of Zumba before. Half of them were open to it, the other half I think their parents dragged them to the program. I started out with merengue and salsa. But I felt like they weren't that into the Latin  Well, half of them were, the other half just stood still with their arms crossed with their noses in the air. So then I broke out the hip hop and more of them joined in. After the hip hop song ended they asked to do it again! So I was like, sure! So I scratched the merengue and cha cha I had planned and played hip hop and reggae instead. Finally, I had about 85% of the class getting down. But the other 15% wouldn't budge. It was like in that movie Take the Lead. I wished I had Antonio Banderas with me to inspire them with a tango show!
I had many of them come up to me and ask if I was coming back... But oh, I wish I could find a way to reach the ones with all that attitude. Tough, tough crowd. I am sooooo worn out! I will come back next week with a lot more hip hop, but this is the first time I've worked with a crowd like this. It's so rewarding to motivate those kids, but at the same time its tough to see those kids on the sidelines. |
Anonymous
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I love your story!
You made my day. |
zumbamama
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| I should've brought Beyonce. I almost did but then changed my mind. Rrrhh I wish could rewind! |
Anonymous
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Some teens won't budge because they're in a contrary phase, and some may not feel comfortable dancing in front of their peers, which leads to more scowling as a cover. Could you somehow involve them in non-dancing roles. Selecting music, turning the machine on and off, etc?
As for the ones who don't seem to object to dancing... can you invite them to bring music and/ or even prepare routines to teach the class? |
zumbamama
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|
oh, yes. I am always saying I need a DJ to control the volume and fade the music. I bet one of them would love to be the "DJ." Then maybe I'll get the ones that are really good to take the lead while I go help the ones struggling.
I did take several requests...glad I had them on my iPod! One boy was all over my iPod looking at all my songs...asking oh, can we do this one, and this one? I was like sure! !He started bustin out his own moves, so I said, "bring it on!" I started following him for awhile! That part was fun. He wanted all the super fast songs, one after the other! I am going to be so sore tomorrow! |
Anonymous
No helpful advice (I was going to offer "Don't do it!"  having worked with pregnant/parenting teens...oy.)
Just wanted to say what you're doing is wonderful and made me smile. These kids really need fun, healthy time like this and I'm sure you're the perfect person to take this challenge on! |
Anonymous
| Making sure your presence is consistent will help. I know many of the kids I've worked with have been let down by multiple adults in their lives. By coming back time after time, you'll help them build trust with you. I agree w/ the PP who encouraged multiple "roles" such as DJ. That way hesitant kids can participate w/o risking looking uncool. Also, you sound like you have a pretty good sense of humor, which will serve you well! Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself, so they get the idea that it's ok to make mistakes and look silly. Be yourself. The kids I work with can smell a phony a mile away. Best of luck! |
Anonymous
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I second PP^^.
I worked in such environment but teaching history, geography and biology... I can't tell you how long it took to make all those kids full of attitude involved in the subject. As PP said, COME BACK. When my "trouble class" saw me coming back they were stung! on shouted in the back WOW SHE'S BACK! They're hopeless and have low self-steem. Please come back. And the success is not getting all of them involved. Such miracles only happen in the movies. You'll make a difference on their lives one at a time, one by one. And some of them will lose the opprotunity to engage and it won't be your fault. You're there, but what depends on them won't be your responsibility. I wish I could tell you my story... I faced situations from public humiliation up to sexual harassment but I didn't give up. Teachers with decades of experience didn't believe that I was doing it. They all gave up on that class. I'm telling you, they need you there and you'll learn as much from them as they're learning from you - lessons for life! Good luck and hang on there! |
Anonymous
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I agree with everything the PP's said...
Have THEM select what they want to do....say things like "I need someone to select music and play song, which one do you want to do?" If you give them a yes or no, they will always say no, so give them a yes yes. If they resist, back off and just say you are happy they are there. Have them show off their dancing, popping, locking, maybe doing some MJ moves, whatever is hot. Get them chatting about the music scene as a point of shared gossip....this may require you doing some research on who is hot and you still probably be wrong but it will kick off info.
Take it slow, more listening, less talking, lots of laughter and FOOD. Every kid wants FOOD. ANY FOOD! Good luck!!!! |
Anonymous
| You know, it sounds like you did a great job--85% of the teens getting down and dancing in the very first class...I would say that's a success!! I agree with PP's advice. You're doing a wonderful thing. |