This is what it is all about

[sgaestel]

Coming into teaching, I was expecting to open students eyes and minds, have intelligent discussions, really see them getting into what we were doing.
My first year, this was not the case. I had to fight with students just to come prepared and stay awake, their imput in the classroom was little to none. The beginning of my second year was even worse. Getting a lot of the students that has failed my class the year before led to a more difficult situation. I became extremely frusterated about the fact that I cared about their success more than they did. Then second semester came.
I currently have students that are engaged in the classroom. They ask pertinent questions...want to explore subjects from the classroom more indepth. The second day, as they students were working on a poem about themselves, I had one student ask if he could come back during lunch to finish! I about fell onto the floor. These students care about their education, and it warms my heart. Every day I see these students taking the steps they need to take to succeed. I no longer feel like I am crazy for asking students to write an essay, or expecting them to take part in a discussion. These kids impress me EVERY DAY! Just thought I'd share my wonderful experience this semester... I am now seeing the students I saw when I was in high school! I thought they may have been extinct! :D

[busbus]

Coming into teaching, I was expecting to open students eyes and minds, have intelligent discussions, really see them getting into what we were doing.
My first year, this was not the case. I had to fight with students just to come prepared and stay awake, their imput in the classroom was little to none. The beginning of my second year was even worse. Getting a lot of the students that has failed my class the year before led to a more difficult situation. I became extremely frusterated about the fact that I cared about their success more than they did. Then second semester came.
I currently have students that are engaged in the classroom. They ask pertinent questions...want to explore subjects from the classroom more indepth. The second day, as they students were working on a poem about themselves, I had one student ask if he could come back during lunch to finish! I about fell onto the floor. These students care about their education, and it warms my heart. Every day I see these students taking the steps they need to take to succeed. I no longer feel like I am crazy for asking students to write an essay, or expecting them to take part in a discussion. These kids impress me EVERY DAY! Just thought I'd share my wonderful experience this semester... I am now seeing the students I saw when I was in high school! I thought they may have been extinct! :D

Welcome to the real world of teaching! I think that most teachers came into their first teaching position with high ideals. Like you, many became frustrated for a variety of reasons. However, they learned that if they hang in long enough, they will get a handle on this thing called teaching.

I commend you for hanging in! Teaching is an exciting field of work. Each day can bring forth a surprise or two that lets you know that it is worth the effort! I hope that your students will continue to impress you. :).

Continued success and have a fabulous career!

[Boxcar]

I'm so glad you can report on a good experience. I know you must be so happy. I hope you continue to have good experiences.

[Bananas]

Doesn't this just make your day? So what brought about the change in them?

I sometimes wonder how admin expects things to change. Certainly we do not pass on students who do not earn that privilege by demonstrating their mastering the content. However, having them repeat the next year is often not the answer. With some subject areas, teachers can provide different lessons so students are not just repeating the same assignments. You are not put in a good situation if you cover the same material with the same text a second year.

[sgaestel]

Doesn't this just make your day? So what brought about the change in them?

I sometimes wonder how admin expects things to change. Certainly we do not pass on students who do not earn that privilege by demonstrating their mastering the content. However, having them repeat the next year is often not the answer. With some subject areas, teachers can provide different lessons so students are not just repeating the same assignments. You are not put in a good situation if you cover the same material with the same text a second year.

In that particular situation, it was kind of necessary to repeat most of the same information, as English I was a state tested course. The funny thing was, most of the things we did for a second time, was like the first for these kids! I also found those who stuggled academically the first time felt kind of good about knowing some of the things we had done the year before. I thought they would have been bored! Go figure!

[Bananas]

Good for them for getting into it the second time around. They are coming into their own!