Hidden Within

When I first came to Central, I had this student who we will call Robert.  Robert was this student who used to wear different types of clothing everyday but usually khaki pants.  Every time he strolled into class it was usually with his sport gear.  He is about 5"7 and from a Spanish background.  Also he loved to give hugs.

In class he always participated and worked well with others; Robert was a social butterfly.  When asked to do something, Robert never complained and mostly he kept a smile on his face.

Two weeks ago that smile started fading and instead became a cold distant stare.  Whenever I try to make eye contact with him, he just stares off into space or pretends I'm not there.  If I ask him for homework that's due or try and talk to him about class work that we are doing he just ignores the fact that I'm there.

As the teacher I was first to notice his drastic changes in personality and as a student.  Lately I am not the only one noticing the changes because his peers have started to notice also.  If he has to work in groups, Robert will refuse to talk or work with anyone. His classmates complain that he is rude, especially after he has carried out some mean acts to students and myself.  Robert's aggressiveness and isolation is noticeable all around.

I tried talking to him in private and he walked away.  I resorted to asking the few students who he will kinda still talk to what was going on in his life.  One of the students told me that she heard his mother is depressed and Robert feels that depression is a sickness that you catch because someone has it and he believes that he currently is suffering from the same.  I guess Robert's depression or his idea of what depression does is what is not allowing him to be himself.

This week has been a bit different because we handed mid-quarter grades yesterday.  Since Robert has not been doing his work, he is currently not passing English.  He at least cared about the fact that he is not passing.  For the first time in about two weeks he finally looked directly at me and held a conversation with me.  It was sad that the "ice breaker" had to be a failing grade but at least I am not being ignored anymore.

I know Robert is a really smart person; I saw it before.  His work shows me that he is smart even though he isolates himself to do it.  I am hoping this is a temporary stage and that he goes back to the person I met before.  I know it is still hiding there within him; the Robert who could warm up the room with his smile and hugs.