This week was a whirlwind- leaving in its wake some successes and a few mishaps. I still sting from the concrete laden scratches of exhaustion. I just didn't prepare enough. I prepared almost enough and that little bit of wiggle room- well that opens the flood gates for anxious, mentally engaged, physically unengaged students. A few hiccups, nothing major.
Just as reflection sets in, we all have these moments of dread where you know unequivocally that you didn't teach something thoroughly enough. The test is in two days and after checking warm-ups and sci-starters, who almost cry because they just don't get it. Yet. So the only thing you can do is a study session, a review day- which does nothing more than cram details into their already over strained brains.
Then you find out another subject area has a test the same day- a harder one apparently and thus- they study for that instead. Oh, and did I say they also had a writing project due in another class. Three whammy's because it is the end of the grading period? That was my week. Now, almost every student passed my test, a few need to be tutored and retested- but it still does not feel anything near successful. It feels passable.
But then, students smile. They explain. They tell stories of how they did learn- even though I felt my teaching was subpar. It comes in waves of reflection on their progress. Discussions of their accomplishments and new goals. Their simple smiles, quiet reflection- unfolded into honest feedback, less negative than I thought.
This is why we ask. This is why we listen. Because they will light the way to our next unit- illuminated we will see the changes and the streamline. This is why a willingness to be vulnerable is so important not only to gain insight- but foresight. This is immeasurable.
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