The role of education is to invest in human capital so that each citizen is more productive. Economists would agree that if a country is more productive that country's standard of living will increase.
Now there is a lot of research showing increased productivity of people who are happy. Psychologist suggest that your brain is 31% more productive when you are happy. Think about how little you accomplish when you are angry. In studying successful companies research has shown that companies that are very profitable have a ratio of 3 positive statement to one negative.
When I walk around the room, I often see students struggling more with answering what three good things happened in the last 24 hours than the drill I that I gave them. Recently one students asked me to reduce it to one good thing so that they would not have to think so hard about it.
Walking through the halls of school, it seems that there are more negatives than positive conversations. From my boyfriend is a jerk, to how stupid are these nametags that we have to wear.
If our goal in education is to make our students more productive citizens than should one of our goals to also make sure of their mental well-being. So I ask should our schools be focusing on our mental well being as much as our mastery of content? Can we change our school so that we hear three positive statements for every negative?
Look forward to hearing your responses
Look forward to your reply
Friday, September 26, 2014
Sunday, September 14, 2014
GRIT
Dr. Angela Duckworth has done a lot of research that shows there is a high correlation between GRIT and future success in school and work. If one of the purposes of school is for us to make students successful than we should really spend time focusing on how to make them more gritty.
Recently, after giving a test, I had many students who came to me to tell me that they have never scored that low on any test in their four years of high school. Most of them however, were not excited about the challenge but threatened by it. The summer assignment in which we watched a video of mindset, was quickly forgotten, and instead of looking at this as an opportunity to learn they just went into the mode of economics is too hard for me.
True learning is a struggle, often frustrating and many times boring. When you find someone who excels at anything they have struggled at times, been frustrated and probably been bored with the field that they now excel. We often see the end product and do not see the work that has went on behind the scenes. With athletes we are not privy to the practices that force them to turn weaknesses into strengths, with students we do not see how many books they have read, problems that they have solved, places that they have visited, hours that they have studied, to get to the point where school seems easy.
Our system is not set up to help students get gritty. Many seniors are worried about their GPA's as they are thinking about the college process. Others are worried about parental pressure and then some are worried about what their peers will think of them. All of these lead to students becoming defensive about academic struggles instead of embracing them. Truthfully, what better time to struggle than in high school, where you still get teacher support, and parental support. When you go to college you are most often struggling on your own. I realize that students are struggling on their own since many e-mail me with questions instead of their own professors.
I know in previous years I have kids who have struggled in AP economics at the start. Last year many of them wrote me during the summer telling me how proud they were about their scores. While they admitted that they often doubted themselves they now went into college with a greater confidence in both their academic ability and their ability to preserver.
As educators, parents and students, we need to teach students to embrace challenges, not penalize them for it. They need to realize that the grade is not as important as learning to overcome the frustration. That colleges do not make their decisions on one grade, but want students who show an ability to overcome adversity. Colleges often ask teachers to respond to this on the recommendation letter.
It is tough being gritty, staying on the treadmill is a hard thing to do. The fact that you thought for a second to quit, that I never will be good at this, is natural. As teachers, parents and friends we need to support our students so that they realize that we will help them stay on the treadmill.
Thoughts and comments are always appreciated.
Recently, after giving a test, I had many students who came to me to tell me that they have never scored that low on any test in their four years of high school. Most of them however, were not excited about the challenge but threatened by it. The summer assignment in which we watched a video of mindset, was quickly forgotten, and instead of looking at this as an opportunity to learn they just went into the mode of economics is too hard for me.
True learning is a struggle, often frustrating and many times boring. When you find someone who excels at anything they have struggled at times, been frustrated and probably been bored with the field that they now excel. We often see the end product and do not see the work that has went on behind the scenes. With athletes we are not privy to the practices that force them to turn weaknesses into strengths, with students we do not see how many books they have read, problems that they have solved, places that they have visited, hours that they have studied, to get to the point where school seems easy.
Our system is not set up to help students get gritty. Many seniors are worried about their GPA's as they are thinking about the college process. Others are worried about parental pressure and then some are worried about what their peers will think of them. All of these lead to students becoming defensive about academic struggles instead of embracing them. Truthfully, what better time to struggle than in high school, where you still get teacher support, and parental support. When you go to college you are most often struggling on your own. I realize that students are struggling on their own since many e-mail me with questions instead of their own professors.
I know in previous years I have kids who have struggled in AP economics at the start. Last year many of them wrote me during the summer telling me how proud they were about their scores. While they admitted that they often doubted themselves they now went into college with a greater confidence in both their academic ability and their ability to preserver.
As educators, parents and students, we need to teach students to embrace challenges, not penalize them for it. They need to realize that the grade is not as important as learning to overcome the frustration. That colleges do not make their decisions on one grade, but want students who show an ability to overcome adversity. Colleges often ask teachers to respond to this on the recommendation letter.
It is tough being gritty, staying on the treadmill is a hard thing to do. The fact that you thought for a second to quit, that I never will be good at this, is natural. As teachers, parents and friends we need to support our students so that they realize that we will help them stay on the treadmill.
Thoughts and comments are always appreciated.
Monday, April 28, 2014
some advice from a student at Penn
I was at a conference Sunday at the University of Penn. Sitting near to me was a student at Penn. Realizing that one of my students was going to Penn, I asked her what advice she would give to Izzy. She then told me I would give her the same advice I was giving any person entering college. So I thought I would pass this along to all of you.
You are going to struggle at the start of college, just realize that most others are also struggling. They might hide it better than you but they are struggling just like you. That Universities have a lot of help, but you need to seek it out. So if you are struggling academically go find the writing, tutoring labs and take advantage of them. There are places to meet people if the struggle is social.
The key and she repeated it again, is that most people struggle. Do not think you are the only one and get help before you go to far under.
You are going to struggle at the start of college, just realize that most others are also struggling. They might hide it better than you but they are struggling just like you. That Universities have a lot of help, but you need to seek it out. So if you are struggling academically go find the writing, tutoring labs and take advantage of them. There are places to meet people if the struggle is social.
The key and she repeated it again, is that most people struggle. Do not think you are the only one and get help before you go to far under.
Friday, April 25, 2014
cheating, and cheating
Today our school newspaper printed their annual story about cheating. In my four years at Dulaney each year the newspaper prints a story about how cheating is increasing at Dulaney. Each year this edition makes me so mad, for so many different reasons. However, it has just occurred to me that cheating probably will not increase next year and if so not by much, as 99% of the seniors said they have cheated.
In full disclosure to the entire senior class, the questions probably need to be asked differently. It would probably be better if they asked students if they have cheated this year? Today a couple of students told me that they had stopped cheating this year but had to answer "yes" to the question that they had cheated once in their lifetime.
It bothers me that students cheat. As a teacher I understand the pressure, the amount of other things that students do besides my class. With this understanding I realize that sometimes students perform poorly on a test, do not have an assignment done on time etc. Those things happen, but that is no reason for the student to cheat. If you are unprepared you need to take the consequence, and no one paper, quiz or test is really going to make a huge difference in your year.
As a school, this needs to be an issue that we discuss more often and openly with our students and faculty. I hope (please respond honestly) that all students know that cheating is something that would really make me mad. As stated above I can understand why you perform poorly, I have had one of my best students tell me that they just did not have the time to prepare properly. However, cheating when you are asked not to is a violation of trust. As we try to move to valued partners we need to trust each other.
When discussing just for a brief time today, I was also amazed at how many students believe that cheating is okay. That some of the work is busy work, which makes it okay to cheat. Or that some of the timelines are unfair or the teacher is bad. What does any of this have to do with your own integrity? With knowing what is right or wrong?
I hope that I am not a person who thinks that everything was better in the past. A matter of fact I know that the students I teach are brighter than the students I went to school with. However, it seems to me that back in the day (yes post Civil War) we at least felt bad when we did things that were wrong.
Okay, students turn now to explain your side of the story. I hope you trust me enough to put your name to the response. If not, just do not sign. Most importantly, I would like to hear your views. AS A VALUED PARTNER YOUR VIEWS ARE IMPORTANT. I promise to read them with an open mind.
In full disclosure to the entire senior class, the questions probably need to be asked differently. It would probably be better if they asked students if they have cheated this year? Today a couple of students told me that they had stopped cheating this year but had to answer "yes" to the question that they had cheated once in their lifetime.
It bothers me that students cheat. As a teacher I understand the pressure, the amount of other things that students do besides my class. With this understanding I realize that sometimes students perform poorly on a test, do not have an assignment done on time etc. Those things happen, but that is no reason for the student to cheat. If you are unprepared you need to take the consequence, and no one paper, quiz or test is really going to make a huge difference in your year.
As a school, this needs to be an issue that we discuss more often and openly with our students and faculty. I hope (please respond honestly) that all students know that cheating is something that would really make me mad. As stated above I can understand why you perform poorly, I have had one of my best students tell me that they just did not have the time to prepare properly. However, cheating when you are asked not to is a violation of trust. As we try to move to valued partners we need to trust each other.
When discussing just for a brief time today, I was also amazed at how many students believe that cheating is okay. That some of the work is busy work, which makes it okay to cheat. Or that some of the timelines are unfair or the teacher is bad. What does any of this have to do with your own integrity? With knowing what is right or wrong?
I hope that I am not a person who thinks that everything was better in the past. A matter of fact I know that the students I teach are brighter than the students I went to school with. However, it seems to me that back in the day (yes post Civil War) we at least felt bad when we did things that were wrong.
Okay, students turn now to explain your side of the story. I hope you trust me enough to put your name to the response. If not, just do not sign. Most importantly, I would like to hear your views. AS A VALUED PARTNER YOUR VIEWS ARE IMPORTANT. I promise to read them with an open mind.
Monday, April 21, 2014
What is the purpose of spirit week
In the week vacation, I have read a lot of research that shows that what one thinks is common sense does not always work out. For example when you take troubled youths to a prison, to try to scare them (program is called Scared Straight) and have prisoners tell horrible stories about prison. What they have found out is that more people who go through this program commit crimes that at risk youths who do not use this program.
This type of research that goes against the grain made me think about spirit week. What is the purpose of spirit week? I would think to bring the community together, to feel a sense of belonging, and to have a greater appreciation for the school.
Now the question is does Spirit Week accomplish these goals? I would appreciate your response to this question. Do you feel better about our school after spirit week? Does it reach the goals I stated above? Are there goals besides the ones above that the week should be trying to accomplish.
This type of research that goes against the grain made me think about spirit week. What is the purpose of spirit week? I would think to bring the community together, to feel a sense of belonging, and to have a greater appreciation for the school.
Now the question is does Spirit Week accomplish these goals? I would appreciate your response to this question. Do you feel better about our school after spirit week? Does it reach the goals I stated above? Are there goals besides the ones above that the week should be trying to accomplish.
reflections of my four years
I recently asked students to write a reflection on their growth during their four years at Dulaney. Since I started Dulaney the same year that these students were Freshman I thought I could also do the activity. I remember my first week at Dulaney, I gave my psych class of 18 (that size will never occur again) a quiz. One student passed the quiz and the next day one person dropped the class. A couple of days later, two students passed the second quiz. I went to the Principal, and told him not to let anyone else drop the class, that someway I would make sure that everyone passed the AP exam.
Since the Principal brought me to Dulaney, he felt obligated to stand by me. However, at the end of the second week a nice young lady came up at the end of the class to tell me that everyone wished that they had the other psychology teacher. I thanked her for her honesty and took a deep breath.
It seems like such a long time ago, but during that time I realize what great support I had at a totally new school. The other psych teacher was amazingly helpful and we built a synergy that would benefit all of our students. I also started my journey which started with GRIT and has now brought me into the whole science of positive psychology.
As I continue to read, implement, and discuss character with my students and peers, I realized the change in myself. What used to drive me crazy does not bother me at all. Do I sometimes lose it, yes, it happened the week before we went on vacation. However, instead of being mad for a month it took a week to realize that while I disagreed with the decision, it is not worth getting that upset about.
What I most appreciate during my four years at Dulaney is the type of students that I have had a chance to work with. While on any given day 50% of my students are smarter than I am, what most impresses me is the type of people that they are. They are not only intelligent but most importantly, thoughtful, kind, and caring individuals which have helped me grow as both a teacher and a person.
As I continue to struggle with how to make students feel like Valued Partners and how best to implement character into the curriculum, I know that I will get plenty of help from my students. This years students have already given me a couple of ideas that will make next years AP economics better than ever.
So in looking back over the four years I think I have more GRIT and much more self control over my emotions. I think I have been tested this year and truthfully besides the one outburst I have done a good job and keeping perspective.
Since the Principal brought me to Dulaney, he felt obligated to stand by me. However, at the end of the second week a nice young lady came up at the end of the class to tell me that everyone wished that they had the other psychology teacher. I thanked her for her honesty and took a deep breath.
It seems like such a long time ago, but during that time I realize what great support I had at a totally new school. The other psych teacher was amazingly helpful and we built a synergy that would benefit all of our students. I also started my journey which started with GRIT and has now brought me into the whole science of positive psychology.
As I continue to read, implement, and discuss character with my students and peers, I realized the change in myself. What used to drive me crazy does not bother me at all. Do I sometimes lose it, yes, it happened the week before we went on vacation. However, instead of being mad for a month it took a week to realize that while I disagreed with the decision, it is not worth getting that upset about.
What I most appreciate during my four years at Dulaney is the type of students that I have had a chance to work with. While on any given day 50% of my students are smarter than I am, what most impresses me is the type of people that they are. They are not only intelligent but most importantly, thoughtful, kind, and caring individuals which have helped me grow as both a teacher and a person.
As I continue to struggle with how to make students feel like Valued Partners and how best to implement character into the curriculum, I know that I will get plenty of help from my students. This years students have already given me a couple of ideas that will make next years AP economics better than ever.
So in looking back over the four years I think I have more GRIT and much more self control over my emotions. I think I have been tested this year and truthfully besides the one outburst I have done a good job and keeping perspective.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Purpose of school
While there are many different reasons why education is not getting traction, one of the major obstacles in my opinion is defining the purpose of school. If you asked 100 teachers you might get 50 different answers. When this happens instead of building synergy you are getting opposing forces which bring progress to a slow grind.
So I thought I would open this discussion up for some debate. What do you think the purpose of school should be? What changes would we have to make to accomplish your purpose of schools.
So I thought I would open this discussion up for some debate. What do you think the purpose of school should be? What changes would we have to make to accomplish your purpose of schools.
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