It’s been awhile, but our series of “Kicking the Copier” episodes is back—and this one is about a strategy, literally but also figuratively, that might help you center your “wins” of the school year more intentionally.
Thanks, guys for the reminder to take a moment to soak in the goodness of the past year.
You’ve sparked a couple of key memories that I would have definitely forgotten as the sands of time continue to pass. I’ll be “laminating them” as I finish out the week.
Any thoughts on how to get past the feelings of “I failed that student. “ When reflecting on student performance on standardized tests and kids who did well in the class, but not “on grade level” according to the Test. This is my current roadblock.
That being said I appreciate the time and energy in this episode; it reminded me that there were some great moments and was great learning happening in the room this year.
I'm glad this was meaningful to you! But I also really appreciate your openness in sharing about that notion of "failing a student."
For me, I very much relate to that feeling of disappointment in myself when scores come out and I see students perform lower than they wanted to—especially those who I felt were doing everything they could on their end to get there. Those tests are imperfect, yes, and learning itself is messy and non-linear, but that feeling is real. (Mine probably will come in July when AP scores are released, and even in the best of years there are those students that make me feel exactly what you're describing.)
My response, then, is two-fold: [1] echoing Adrian, I remind myself as much as possible that what took place in the classroom is myriad, and that their growth in other ways not captured by a test—confidence to work collaboratively with others; creativity and authenticity in their writing that the test NEVER captures, etc.—may end up being far more meaningful; but also [2] sometimes the classroom isn't a "win" for every single student. I have ~180, and I guarantee you that I'm not batting 180/180 this year. I'm trying to and will keep trying to, but I think the "trying to" is what students deserve and is the best we can give in our capacity.
Give yourself grace! but also know that feeling is VERY real.
What I’m trying to think about is the idea that even if my students didn’t grow academically in my classroom, maybe I was the teacher they needed this year for other reasons. Maybe I provided the morning smile they never received from a teacher before. Maybe the second/third chances I gave them helped in ways I will. Ever know. I love the way Mike Kleba reframes things with “the universe sent me these people.”
This is some much-needed advice for all of us at the end of the year. It’s important to take stock in the positive, especially for those of us who’ve had an extraordinarily difficult school year. Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks, guys for the reminder to take a moment to soak in the goodness of the past year.
You’ve sparked a couple of key memories that I would have definitely forgotten as the sands of time continue to pass. I’ll be “laminating them” as I finish out the week.
Any thoughts on how to get past the feelings of “I failed that student. “ When reflecting on student performance on standardized tests and kids who did well in the class, but not “on grade level” according to the Test. This is my current roadblock.
That being said I appreciate the time and energy in this episode; it reminded me that there were some great moments and was great learning happening in the room this year.
I'm glad this was meaningful to you! But I also really appreciate your openness in sharing about that notion of "failing a student."
For me, I very much relate to that feeling of disappointment in myself when scores come out and I see students perform lower than they wanted to—especially those who I felt were doing everything they could on their end to get there. Those tests are imperfect, yes, and learning itself is messy and non-linear, but that feeling is real. (Mine probably will come in July when AP scores are released, and even in the best of years there are those students that make me feel exactly what you're describing.)
My response, then, is two-fold: [1] echoing Adrian, I remind myself as much as possible that what took place in the classroom is myriad, and that their growth in other ways not captured by a test—confidence to work collaboratively with others; creativity and authenticity in their writing that the test NEVER captures, etc.—may end up being far more meaningful; but also [2] sometimes the classroom isn't a "win" for every single student. I have ~180, and I guarantee you that I'm not batting 180/180 this year. I'm trying to and will keep trying to, but I think the "trying to" is what students deserve and is the best we can give in our capacity.
Give yourself grace! but also know that feeling is VERY real.
What I’m trying to think about is the idea that even if my students didn’t grow academically in my classroom, maybe I was the teacher they needed this year for other reasons. Maybe I provided the morning smile they never received from a teacher before. Maybe the second/third chances I gave them helped in ways I will. Ever know. I love the way Mike Kleba reframes things with “the universe sent me these people.”
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mikekleba_isnt-it-wild-how-easy-it-is-to-be-annoyed-activity-7184555389856710656-4JKU?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
This is some much-needed advice for all of us at the end of the year. It’s important to take stock in the positive, especially for those of us who’ve had an extraordinarily difficult school year. Thanks for the reminder!