The Education of Ms. Groves

September 10^th, a month into Monica’s first school year
Not all is going as planned in her sixth grade English class. Monica is noticing her students are often distracted, talkative, especially when her back is turned.

Monica Groves: I want my kids to like me. I want this to be a supportive, loving environment. But more than that I just want you to sit down and I wanna see that you’re getting this.

A few weeks later, just after lunch. Monica is having trouble getting her students into the class room. The next day? Same problem. For one of the first times, Monica sees no choice but to scream at her students.

Monica Groves (in classroom): You guys think I’m not serious? is that it? when I say something, do you think it’s optional? It’s not optional!

Groves: I’m really trying to just set the tone of “I’m not playing around” because I realize there’s a level of disrespect in my classroom that should not be there and will not be there.

Meet Mayah, who in her poem described herself as a “girl on fire.” She is one of Monica’s biggest trouble makers.

Today, Monica catches her wandering the hallway without permission. And things are not much better inside the classroom.

Hoda Kotb, Dateline correspondent: Did you not do your homework here? [Mayah hesitates] Don’t lie to me.

Mayah: Well, I didn’t do my homework as much as I should.

There is a reason for Mayah’s behavior and lack of work ethic. But Monica doesn’t know to ask. And Mayah...at least for now...is not willing to tell.

Monday, October 11^th
An essay is due. Mayah, once again, didn’t do it. But she’s not alone.

Groves (in class): Raise your hand if you don’t have your homework today I want you to raise your hands...This is ridiculous. Do you know how frustrating it is for me? When I’m trying my best to make sure that you are doing what you need to do in order to be successful and you can’t even bring in a simple assignment. And this is every day.

Monica thinks she has her students’ attention, for once. Wrong.

Groves: When you’re in a class room as a student and you’re constantly talking, it’s not acceptable behavior! Are you hearing me?!

Groves: I didn’t expect for it to feel like such a fight, such a struggle. Either you attack the day or it attacks you. And it beats you down.

Monica finds some relief in coaching the school’s cheerleading team...

And of course not every class is a bad class. Here Monica is teaching grammar through song. And her students respond.

Groves: We have our successes and there are times when I’m just, I’m very proud of them, I’m proud of myself. But overall, I want to see myself accomplishing more. I want to see them accomplishing more.

Monica knows many of her students come from poor families, more than half are being raised by a single parent. Some live in extremely dysfunctional environments. These kids are tough to reach—especially for a young teacher who’s 5 foot 2 and weighs about a hundred pounds.

Kotb: That’s not a very intimidating presence.

Groves: It’s not, you know.  They call me "Little Big Miss Groves." They’ll say, “Ms. Groves, you’re so short.” They don’t want to get me mad. But they also don’t fear the consequences of if they get me mad.

October 20^th
In her quest for silence, Monica is getting increasingly frustrated and louder.

Groves: I don’t wanna be dealing with the same things that I was dealing with in week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Right now I feel like there’s a lot wasted energy. I feel like that’s where my frustration comes from. I think that’s where that’s where the shortness with the kids comes from. Because I just “Don’t want you to do it. Stop.”

But later that evening at home... Monica is having second thoughts.

Groves (Video diary): Oh my gosh. Today the guilt, the guilt. Oh, my gosh. I am an official, officially going through a tyrant stage.

I’m trying to control the situation so much that I end up sabotaging it. Because I spend more time, kind of yelling and correcting and discussing things that we can’t do anymore than just taking a moment to teach...And I’m seriously a tyrant.

This is not the teacher Monica envisioned herself to be. This is not the teacher she wants to become.

Groves: I have those moments where I’m overwhelmed. But I almost have a fear of even thinking about it too much. I just know how destructive I can be to myself because I’ve been there. I’ve done that before. And I shut down. And I don’t have the option of shutting down here.

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The Education of Ms. Groves A classroom as fascinating TV? Producer: Chronicling Monica's journey Meet Ms. Groves' students The principal's point of view Mrs. Kamminga, Monica's inspiration and 1st grade teacher The Education of Ms. Groves Section Front   Add The Education of Ms. Groves headlines to your news reader: