When I see students improving, it allows me to forget all the other craziness in the world of education. It about the students stupid.
Friday, April 12, 2013
grades
As I am preparing for third quarter grades, I am amazed at how many students have made such great progress so far this year. As we prepare to get ready for the AP exam, many students who came into the year with no AP experience or skills now seem ready to conquer this college final. Of course there are students who have not made the progress I would have liked so far but they have a chance to push themselves the next couple of weeks. It is a chance to see can they master the work that they did not get the first time around.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
a glimpse into the future and appreciation of the present
As I am visiting my Dad who is sick, I get a glimpse into how I am going to be when I am older. It is sad to watch how he has trouble taking care of himself. What this however has forced me to reflect upon is how lucky I have been in my personal life to have a great family who has always been supportive of me.
As you can tell if you have read this blog I am not a very positive person, who rarely says positive things to anyone. However, I realize how lucky I have been this year to work with a group of really great students. In the past I have been lucky to work with intelligent young men and women. While this years students are extremely bright what impresses me is the type of people they are. Frequently in class I see people helping each other either understand the concepts, or ways to remember the concepts. They are completely unselfish in their actions to each other. If you look at our library it is amazing to see how many people tutor each other and how often they are their to comfort each other in a time of need.
In the future I am sure that many of these students will be doctors, lawyers, teachers (sorry I had to throw that in), and other great professionals. What is more important is that I have never had a group in where so many of the students are the type that will change the world for the better . It makes me happy to know that these bright and caring young people will be able to fix the problems that my generation has left them.
What I also realize is how much I learn from my students each year. When I think of any good changes I have made in my teaching it has been something that has been suggested to me by a student to help make the class better. Recently, at a forum meeting, i was able to hear from students first hand what they wanted from teachers. There comments were open and honest which made me realize that I have a long way to go to on this journey of teaching. While I often see the glass as half empty many of these students thought of the class as totally full which made me think hard about changing my attitude in both my professional and personal life.
When we comeback from vacation for many of the seniors we have less than 30 school days left together. I am going to use these days to enjoy my students and appreciate the moment. As we will have to work hard to prepare for our AP exams, my job is to put you in the best position to be successful on these tests.
As the weather gets nicer, the end gets closer, and the distractions increase we will all need to show our character. We will need the GRIT to continue to fight the good fight to the finish line, we will need the self-control to study when the weather gets nicer and we will need the support of each other when we stray off track.
I am extremely confident that this group we get the job done in the next couple of weeks. That the relationships you have with each other will help push yourselves to excellence.
As you can tell if you have read this blog I am not a very positive person, who rarely says positive things to anyone. However, I realize how lucky I have been this year to work with a group of really great students. In the past I have been lucky to work with intelligent young men and women. While this years students are extremely bright what impresses me is the type of people they are. Frequently in class I see people helping each other either understand the concepts, or ways to remember the concepts. They are completely unselfish in their actions to each other. If you look at our library it is amazing to see how many people tutor each other and how often they are their to comfort each other in a time of need.
In the future I am sure that many of these students will be doctors, lawyers, teachers (sorry I had to throw that in), and other great professionals. What is more important is that I have never had a group in where so many of the students are the type that will change the world for the better . It makes me happy to know that these bright and caring young people will be able to fix the problems that my generation has left them.
What I also realize is how much I learn from my students each year. When I think of any good changes I have made in my teaching it has been something that has been suggested to me by a student to help make the class better. Recently, at a forum meeting, i was able to hear from students first hand what they wanted from teachers. There comments were open and honest which made me realize that I have a long way to go to on this journey of teaching. While I often see the glass as half empty many of these students thought of the class as totally full which made me think hard about changing my attitude in both my professional and personal life.
When we comeback from vacation for many of the seniors we have less than 30 school days left together. I am going to use these days to enjoy my students and appreciate the moment. As we will have to work hard to prepare for our AP exams, my job is to put you in the best position to be successful on these tests.
As the weather gets nicer, the end gets closer, and the distractions increase we will all need to show our character. We will need the GRIT to continue to fight the good fight to the finish line, we will need the self-control to study when the weather gets nicer and we will need the support of each other when we stray off track.
I am extremely confident that this group we get the job done in the next couple of weeks. That the relationships you have with each other will help push yourselves to excellence.
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