Student Teaching: Expectations

Once again, today I was reminded of the importance of celebrating the small victories. I've got a few students who can be uncooperative at times, and I'm learning to make adjustments to create lessons that students will enjoy, relate to, find relevant, and learn something from. I was upset toady when a few students said about another student, "He's not going to do anything. He's a bad kid. He never does anything." It's upsetting when teachers place low expectations on students. It bothered me even more that it was coming from his peers. And yes, he did end up doing something.

My earlier tech class was floundering a little this morning. I have a student in there, R, that I have even made the mistake of labeling as "never does anything" at times. I tried to let that go today, and hope for the best from everyone. As the students got a little bored and distracted, I realized I needed to change something. I also realized that not only had I had not figured out everyone's name yet (it's the last class I've taken over), but they still were not sure of each other. Time to build a little more community. I've played name tag with my other classes to learn names, but I hadn't played it with this class. So I told them we were done with that and asked them to come to the front of the class and get in a circle. I ignored the students who didn't move and are normally hesitant to participate. And by hesitant I mean they put on their headphones, close their eyes, and check out.

Today, however, had one of those brief moment of magic.

First, one of the other students got up and joined us on his own. I looked up, and noticed that R was in the back of the room, watching intently what we were doing. He started laughing along with other students when someone got out. He sat up higher in his chair to see better. Finally he climbed over the chair in front of him, walked up to the front of the room, and found a place in the circle.

I couldn't help beaming.

Yes, there was still one student that decided to stay where he was. Yes, much of the class period the students struggled to stay on task or fought doing anything. Yes, teaching is hard and filled with disappointment.

However...

We live for those moments when our students decide they want to be a part of something...like the world around them.