Years ago I learned something about myself, I am a cheerleader. Not in the pom pom kind of way, but more of a "You can do it!" I am a champion for my students, their families, and my school family, too. No one falls through the cracks with me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not the kind of teacher who looks at the world through rose colored glasses. But I am the kind of teacher who recognizes a positive attitude and a concerted effort.
Effort and attitude: students have control over these things. There are no excuses to be made for lack of either.
Effort and attitude: students have control over these things. There are no excuses to be made for lack of either.
Agency: a person or thing through which power is used or something is achieved. How willing are we to persevere? How much grit do we have? What will we accomplish today? My goal as a teacher is for students to recognize their potential and help them achieve this potential with the tools they have. Along the way they may fail, and that's ok. (Read this article for a reminder on why it's ok to fail.) Many teachers and parents struggle with this idea. We don't want our kids to fail, they say, they'll get discouraged. Even teachers themselves see low test scores as a failing of their teaching. I see it as opportunity. Opportunity to learn from our mistakes, learn something new, persevere. Once you start seeing failure as opportunity, the sky's the limit.
Your students take their cues from you. Are you a glass half full or half empty kind of teacher? Think about the story I am going to share...this is a true story.
During professional development recently a teacher was feeling discouraged while looking at her writing scores from the last monthly assessment. She didn't want to believe the data, thought it was a reflection of her. My eyes got huge and I said, "Your students just wrote your lesson plan for the next month. What an incredible opportunity!" I was 100% sincere. Here was her chance to persevere, and increase her students' agency. Attitude makes all the difference.
During professional development recently a teacher was feeling discouraged while looking at her writing scores from the last monthly assessment. She didn't want to believe the data, thought it was a reflection of her. My eyes got huge and I said, "Your students just wrote your lesson plan for the next month. What an incredible opportunity!" I was 100% sincere. Here was her chance to persevere, and increase her students' agency. Attitude makes all the difference.
So, what's my point? Be a cheerleader. Be sincere. Look for the positive and celebrate small victories. Your students will appreciate you and so will your staff. Be the light at the end of the tunnel.