I try to be a positive person and recognize that my students are still teenagers and sometimes require some... grace.
But I'm SO tired of how often the same kids who insist on spending every class period either on their phones, cutting up with their friends, or nodding off repeatedly keep sending me tortured emails wondering how they can get their grade up and coming by during other hours with those hurt looks on their faces.
I can help them learn history, or writing, or basic school skills, or any number of other things. Clearly I'm failing at basic "cause and effect" and there's no way they're going to be prepared to cope with reality after high school.
OK - back to being a positive, encouraging person...