When I was in my first year of teaching I remember having
difficulty with some of the kids in class.
I was frustrated because they weren’t getting their work done, didn’t
show much effort, lacked focus, and were in each other’s space on a consistent
basis. I remember calling my mom to let
her know that the new job was hard and the kids were having the aforementioned
issues. She told me to keep working and
it would be fine. So…I kept working, but I still saw the same thing out of the
kids. About a week after our
conversation, she left the following message on my answering machine (yep…it
was an actual machine at that time!)…
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“Joe lacks focus. He has the potential, but procrastinates and
rarely gets his work done on time. He
needs to show more effort to improve. He
also needs to keep his hands and feet to himself.” Then she said… “You turned out ok…take it easy on the kids”.
It is funny that listening to an excerpt from my elementary
report card completely changed my outlook on the classroom. As an elementary kid I knew I was more of a
burden than a prize in the classroom. I
needed a stage, and our classroom didn’t have one…so, I created my own. The needs I had as a learner were definitely
in contrast to what my teacher had for the class. I often think back to that time when kids are
struggling. Clearly their need is not
being met…and it is our job to find a way to engage them in the process. I had
a number of students in that first class that needed to be engaged in a
different manner. I think the
opportunity to learn from my own experience helped restore a positive outlook
on what was happening in the classroom.
The cold weather…time inside the building…and shortened days
always makes for an interesting February.
The last month has been exceptionally difficult on kids as the
temperatures have been ridiculous. I
never thought I would see -45 and am fine if we don’t ever see it again. With kids cooped up in classrooms and unable
to get outside I think it is natural to see them get agitated a little easier
than normal. The group of Crickets we
work with on a daily basis are phenomenal…I am constantly astounded by their
work ethic and the support of their families.
We are in a very lucky place.
Having said that…they are still kids and kids make mistakes. I think our staff does a great job of looking
at the environment of the action rather than the action itself. This allows us to adjust the situation,
rather than shift blame. PBIS data has
been great in this regard.
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The environment of the classroom is largely determined by
the actions and attitude of the adult in that space. We have to set the tone in our classrooms…and
it has to be an inviting place for all.
In the end, the environment of the classroom will be determined by the
feelings students have in that area and whether or not they feel like they will
have success. That success may come at a much later date…but they need to feel
like it is possible. Go Crickets.
Joe,
ReplyDeleteIs it not amazing that the words of your own mother can provide clarity? I'm sure there is a similar comment on one of my old report cards that would provide similar clarity for me.
I have often wondered if we as educators remember back to our days as a student. Did we always sit with perfect posture in our desk, hand raised patiently to be called upon, never passing notes (the same as texting nowadays, as far as I'm concerned), and assignments turned in on time? I think not.
We need to continue to try a new way of reaching each of our students. What works now may not work tomorrow, even for the same student. As an educator, we can never give up.
Keep on keeping on.
Jay
Thanks Jay! Finding a way to connect with every student is so essential. It is so nice to be in a building where we see them grow and can watch them as they move on. I think tend to remember the best parts of our experience...and the further we get from an event, the more we remember those good things vs. bad. Appreciate the comments and perspective...keep up the great work!
DeleteJoe -my mother still has my report cards from my days as an elementary student, but nothing beyond that ( Hmmm....I wonder why?). "Jimmy is a good boy, but tends to talk too much and is hyper during indoor recess. Please remind him how important it is to use his indoor voice." What? I wonder if she wrote this on every boys report card in my grade? Interesting how our selective memory works as adults. Keep being a champion for all kids (and staff) Joe. You are in a position to influence your staff to cherish the joy and pride your little "crickets" bring to your school community every day! Each one is special in his/her own way. - jimmy
ReplyDeleteWhat's an indoor voice? Ha! I think we both had that written on our report cards...and I'm sure it would still be on mine! Selective memory is really an amazing thing...the power of the experience tends to drive the memory years later. Clearly the report card had little to no impact on me as I didn't remember it at all....that is probably a new blog post down the road! Thanks for the kind words, inspiration, and friendship. Have a great day!
DeleteAMEN JOE! Every educator should read this line - "I often think back to that time when kids are struggling. Clearly their need is not being met…and it is our job to find a way to engage them in the process."
ReplyDeleteToo often I look at our educational system and think it is designed for the kids that sit quietly, act politely, and don't make waves. I see data that shows an increase in medications...immediately my mind thinks, "OK, so they have a lot of energy...let's just give them pills. Really?" How can the energy be used as an advantage...not a detriment? Thanks for sharing this post...sorry for the mini-rant. -Ben
Thanks Ben! I think it is amazing that we are able to meet the number of needs in the classroom, but there is always that thought that we could do more. Giving kids ownership of the process could really help out down the road. I really like the idea of using that energy in a positive way...I think if the culture of your classroom promotes that thought then it is a known entity for all. Thanks for the kind words and thanks for taking the time to read and comment...now I'm off to steal your videos and articles for my staff newsletter! Ha! Take care.
DeleteJoe,
ReplyDeleteThis was a great read! 2 ideas really rang true for me with this:
1. To this day, I am amazed at the power of mothers' intuition. Saving those old report cards has got to be "best practices" for moms. When these are shared, I am reminded I am human, the same as the students I taught for a decade, my staff, and my own children. We can all grow - my mom reminds me I'm living proof of that!
2. The following lines you wrote really stuck with me: "The environment of the classroom is largely determined by the actions and attitude of the adult in that space. We have to set the tone in our classrooms…and it has to be an inviting place for all." I think it's so important for us as educators to take pause and appreciate this enormous responsibility we've got. And, of greater importance, we must work together to remind others of the potential of their impact on the future. Amazing to consider, over a 30 year career, how many kids are impacted by our words and actions.
Great post - it was a pleasure to read!
Dennis
Thanks Dennis!
DeleteAppreciate the comments...my report card really made me think about how I was approaching those conversations with kids. I have to be reminded of it from time to time now, but just the thought changes the conversation. In terms of the actions and attitudes of adults...we have come to the realization that the most bang for our buck is easily in teacher growth. Data walks and cohort academic data are important, but we average about 55 kids per grade level and if we make large scale changes based on data of that sample size we are just chasing an ever changing number. So, putting the proverbial eggs in the Teacher Growth basket so our staff can address the needs of multiple learners is the idea moving forward. You are right...absolutely an enormous responsibility, but what an incredible opportunity!!! Thanks again for the comments...great to be able to connect with you.
Have a good one!
Joe
Love this! I have always approached report card comments with this thought in mind, "Write comments that in 20-30 years they won't be embarrassed about if their kids find the report card." It's all about feedback. Pick a couple of strengths and a weakness. We can only take in so much. Make it meaningful.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Great point about making the comments meaningful...I totally agree. Inspiration from feedback shouldn't come 30 years later. Thanks for the comment!
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