Cherie commented:
The part of the reading that stuck in my mind the most was the comparison of students to blocks of stone. Teachers have a level of mastery for each subject and the student’s grade is based on their level of mastery. How disappointing is it to see a C or D on a paper you worked incredibly hard on? I had a professor who asked us to come up with ideas on teaching a math concept. My partner and I worked together to create a lesson that taught in a meaningful and motivating way only to have the professor say this is what I want you to teach and how. She had decided what she wanted us to do before we left the class to make plans for our lesson. Our lesson was dismissed without her even listening to what we had to say, our hard work not even acknowledged.
I work as a special education teacher and all my students are working at different levels. I want them to feel great about what they have accomplished. I try to remind myself to acknowledge what they have done and how far they have progressed even if it is just one problem more than the day before. Sometimes we as teachers lose sight of what we are truly trying to accomplish. That is to ensure our students leave our classrooms not just with knowledge of curriculum, but also the knowledge that they are someone special who can do anything they set their minds to. Students are not just a grade.
Communication:
Cherie I am right there with you about providing students with just more than knowledge. Creating a sense of self worth amongst students and their environment is something that we are continuously working on at our campus. The life that some of these students experience does not afford them with the support of feeling or finding their place in life. A sense of belonging is all some student are looking for. Providing and accommodating the needs of our student population is the goal of our learning community. Before learning can even start their needs to be a relationship of trust and belief amongst our students that their teachers are going to provide the best setting and opportunity to discover their potential and focus on what needs more attention.
Sometimes just listening to your students and discovering what they are truly like will build and environment where they are motivated and willing to meet you half way so that the learning process is achieved with relative ease and positive experiences. Not every learning community is like another, the commonality the both possess is that they are there for the need of the student and the community. Educating students is not just giving a grade it is about building long lasting relationships and setting an example of what educated people are like and the traits they posses.
I wish you continued success and hope that all students continue to take advantage of this blessing which presents itself. I too work with the same population of students and find it very satisfying when levels of achievement are reached merely due to their interest and continued need to go far and beyond those limits that have been placed upon them. Students are only limited by the amount of what lacks on the part of the teacher. Being motivating and a positive figure is what every student looks for. By the look so it your children must really enjoy attending your class.
Blog Title: Week 1 Post 4: The Art of Possibility Chapters 1-3
Blogger: Cherie Park
http://cpark-edm613.blogspot.com/2010/11/wk-1-reading-ch-1-3.html
Retrieved on November 29, 2010.
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