For context, I am a 23 y/o. My placement is 7th grade.
Last week, I was showing a student how to do a worksheet that I assigned when she was absent. When I was standing by her desk getting ready to explain how to do it, she kept humming over me. As I was explaining, she was tuning me out. She turned around to her friend seated nearby and whispered loudly enough for me to hear, "I prefer when Mr. Gonzalez teaches."
(Also, I know for a fact her friend she whispered this too also isn't warm/welcoming toward me. I've tried to say hi to her when she walks in the door, but she usually does not respond. When I lecture, she laughs.)
I know they are just kids. I have tried to build rapport with them, but they are unresponsive. This is my last week of student teaching, but I will be seeing this period 3 more times this week.
The reality of teaching is that I am there to teach. Not everyone is going to like me, but I guess I just feel really bothered. While I was under the impression these particular kids did not like me, I feel even more bothered by them making that obvious to me through their whispers. When I am not teaching, I ruminate on what they say and feel really bothered and hurt.
But that is not to say that I have other students who actually respect me and listen to me. Some kids in other periods have expressed how they loved a graphic organizer I gave because it gave them lots of space to write out their ideas. Some other kids participate and wave or say hi to me when they see me in the hallways. These kids do make my day.
It's been four days though since I overheard what that one student said, and I guess it judt hurts. I was under the impression we had some good rapport in the beginning. We talked about life outside school.
I know I'm just a student teacher learning the ropes, but I just want to know how I can stop this ruminating. It is also my last week of teaching. I want to know how I can survive this week with a smile on my face and feeling uncovered by what those kids say.
TLDR:; A 7th grade girl loudly whispered to her friend in front of me, "I prefer when Mr. Gonzalez teaches." While I have other students who respect me, witnessing that hurts. How do I stop ruminating about this? This is my last week of student teaching. I just want to get by the week and end on a positive note.