I'm sorry about your dog and hope that he's on the mend - I've been worrying about you since your past post!
Regarding students, I always think about how I'm "planting the seed for future learning" when students push back in the classroom.
Sometimes it takes years for students to appreciate school and their former teachers. As a high school teacher of Seniors, I promise you that it comes. So often kids will talk about how terrible they were in upper elementary and middle school and how much the appreciate (and feel sorry for!) those teachers.
Thank you for sharing this perspective! I didn’t realize that it might take until HS graduation before students understand themselves as learners. That makes sense. I don’t remember much from my elementary school years. The type of learner I am today wasn’t fully formed until I was a sophomore in college!
I appreciate you checking in. I think we have Stanley’s seizures under control. It’s scary. He’s on a lot of anti-seizure medication and unfortunately, any large seizure could be his last. Thanks again.
I’m going through the same thing this year. Behavior is the worst I have seen in 21 years of teaching. I’m thinking of a new career. I bought some books to read over the summer about post-Covid teaching and group work, etc. But right now I feel pretty dejected.
I'm sorry to hear this! The more teachers I speak to, the more I realize that this is not just happening in my classroom only. I'm curious what books you plan to read over the summer. Would you be willing to share titles? I will need some motivational reading over the summer.
In the meantime, let's both try to hang in there. The end is just in sight.
Teaching in the Post-Covid Classroom by Grace Stevens is what I am reading now. It has mixed reviews. I think it’s still early for best practices research on post COVID students but I’m starting there.
Wow! I am absolutely blown away by your incredible dedication, determination, and seeking of skills and tools to help make your classroom be a success. Every one of your students will benefit from these incredible experiences you provide. I’m very sorry that they are unable to realize what an incredible gift you are providing them daily!! Hang in there!! You are amazing!!
Thanks! I really appreciate your affirmation. It's easy to get stuck in my head and not feel like my efforts are being valued. Who knows? Maybe at the end of the year, I will feel like I made more of a difference in my students' lives.
As an art teacher (k-12) who also encourages students to develop critical thinking skills, I relate to your thoughts on classroom management. I so want them to get excited about Henri Matisse (last month) and Frida Kahlo (this month) and then to answer a question that begins, "Do we HAVE to..." which is all about a grade requirement...sigh. I wish I could do away with grades altogether in art class. Twelve more days for me...
Thanks! I love that something I write resonates with you, and I REALLY love the image of something resonating mysteriously. I appreciate you reading my newsletter.
My daughter went from being a teacher to a class dean - lofty word for dealing with students who have made trouble for themselves and others - at a high school in an impoverished neighborhood. But she’s working towards becoming a guidance counselor for exactly the reasons you’ve described. Showing care for her school’s students helps them more than reading Macbeth.
How has your daughter felt about this transition? I can only imagine that it might be overwhelming to only deal with behavior issues all day. I wish that our public schools had more mental health support in each building. I think we could help a lot of kids deal with stress and anxiety if we had guidance counselors more available.
It’s totally overwhelming. I don’t know how long she can continue. She says that the adults who are her supervisors only make things worse. But the lack of key socialization that the kids missed during COVID and the trauma they experienced because their parents had to keep working and risking their lives - not to mention the threat of deportation for many - has pushed things to the point where no one knows what to do.
Yes, I've experienced similar issues. I don't want to put all of the blame on the pandemic, but it definitely exposed a lot of inequitable systems that were not serving student well. I hope your daughter gets through this year and is able to spend some time resting and recovering over the summer.
Adrian, I congratulate you for your valiant efforts. However, you and all teachers are up against powerful currents in Western Society. Sadly, today, after decades of this process developing, there is a lack of willpower. Self control, delayed gratification and focused attention have become things of the past. It does not help that family life is fractured and alcoholism and drug addiction are rampant. Also, these kids are distracted by their iphones, social media and television. They may not be looking at their iphones in class but it's always present. One more item is to ask how much do parents really care? Values are taught first at home. The kids come to school where parents are dedicated to learning and reading? I don't think so. Nevertheless, I still congratulate you on your efforts and keep on keeping on, meaning, do not get discouraged. You must also take care of yourself, keep in good physical condition and live your life to the fullest.
We all try to make our classes interesting and enjoyable. Of course. But in the end it's the students responsibility to engage, and if they're not willing to commit to learning there's really nothing that you can do about it.
And does it occur to you that part of the problem is that you're using Liljedahl's Thinking Classroom method? That stuff is all bullshit, and it doesn't work in the real world.
I'm sorry about your dog and hope that he's on the mend - I've been worrying about you since your past post!
Regarding students, I always think about how I'm "planting the seed for future learning" when students push back in the classroom.
Sometimes it takes years for students to appreciate school and their former teachers. As a high school teacher of Seniors, I promise you that it comes. So often kids will talk about how terrible they were in upper elementary and middle school and how much the appreciate (and feel sorry for!) those teachers.
Thank you for sharing this perspective! I didn’t realize that it might take until HS graduation before students understand themselves as learners. That makes sense. I don’t remember much from my elementary school years. The type of learner I am today wasn’t fully formed until I was a sophomore in college!
I appreciate you checking in. I think we have Stanley’s seizures under control. It’s scary. He’s on a lot of anti-seizure medication and unfortunately, any large seizure could be his last. Thanks again.
I had a similar thought. I think Adrian’s students will eventually see the class very positively and remember more than they let on now.
I’m going through the same thing this year. Behavior is the worst I have seen in 21 years of teaching. I’m thinking of a new career. I bought some books to read over the summer about post-Covid teaching and group work, etc. But right now I feel pretty dejected.
I'm sorry to hear this! The more teachers I speak to, the more I realize that this is not just happening in my classroom only. I'm curious what books you plan to read over the summer. Would you be willing to share titles? I will need some motivational reading over the summer.
In the meantime, let's both try to hang in there. The end is just in sight.
Teaching in the Post-Covid Classroom by Grace Stevens is what I am reading now. It has mixed reviews. I think it’s still early for best practices research on post COVID students but I’m starting there.
Wow! I am absolutely blown away by your incredible dedication, determination, and seeking of skills and tools to help make your classroom be a success. Every one of your students will benefit from these incredible experiences you provide. I’m very sorry that they are unable to realize what an incredible gift you are providing them daily!! Hang in there!! You are amazing!!
Thanks! I really appreciate your affirmation. It's easy to get stuck in my head and not feel like my efforts are being valued. Who knows? Maybe at the end of the year, I will feel like I made more of a difference in my students' lives.
As an art teacher (k-12) who also encourages students to develop critical thinking skills, I relate to your thoughts on classroom management. I so want them to get excited about Henri Matisse (last month) and Frida Kahlo (this month) and then to answer a question that begins, "Do we HAVE to..." which is all about a grade requirement...sigh. I wish I could do away with grades altogether in art class. Twelve more days for me...
Have you heard the story/parable about the art teacher who graded in quantity versus quality?
https://austinkleon.com/2020/12/10/quantity-leads-to-quality-the-origin-of-a-parable/
I would love it if we could integrate this philosophy into public schools.
Really appreciate your newsletter. It resonates in mysterious ways with me, and I always feel like I should be taking notes.
Thanks! I love that something I write resonates with you, and I REALLY love the image of something resonating mysteriously. I appreciate you reading my newsletter.
My daughter went from being a teacher to a class dean - lofty word for dealing with students who have made trouble for themselves and others - at a high school in an impoverished neighborhood. But she’s working towards becoming a guidance counselor for exactly the reasons you’ve described. Showing care for her school’s students helps them more than reading Macbeth.
How has your daughter felt about this transition? I can only imagine that it might be overwhelming to only deal with behavior issues all day. I wish that our public schools had more mental health support in each building. I think we could help a lot of kids deal with stress and anxiety if we had guidance counselors more available.
It’s totally overwhelming. I don’t know how long she can continue. She says that the adults who are her supervisors only make things worse. But the lack of key socialization that the kids missed during COVID and the trauma they experienced because their parents had to keep working and risking their lives - not to mention the threat of deportation for many - has pushed things to the point where no one knows what to do.
Yes, I've experienced similar issues. I don't want to put all of the blame on the pandemic, but it definitely exposed a lot of inequitable systems that were not serving student well. I hope your daughter gets through this year and is able to spend some time resting and recovering over the summer.
Adrian, I congratulate you for your valiant efforts. However, you and all teachers are up against powerful currents in Western Society. Sadly, today, after decades of this process developing, there is a lack of willpower. Self control, delayed gratification and focused attention have become things of the past. It does not help that family life is fractured and alcoholism and drug addiction are rampant. Also, these kids are distracted by their iphones, social media and television. They may not be looking at their iphones in class but it's always present. One more item is to ask how much do parents really care? Values are taught first at home. The kids come to school where parents are dedicated to learning and reading? I don't think so. Nevertheless, I still congratulate you on your efforts and keep on keeping on, meaning, do not get discouraged. You must also take care of yourself, keep in good physical condition and live your life to the fullest.
I really appreciate your encouragement! I definitely plan to rest/recover over the summer, unplug, and focus on myself.
It's essential
We all try to make our classes interesting and enjoyable. Of course. But in the end it's the students responsibility to engage, and if they're not willing to commit to learning there's really nothing that you can do about it.
And does it occur to you that part of the problem is that you're using Liljedahl's Thinking Classroom method? That stuff is all bullshit, and it doesn't work in the real world.