Today I asked my junior class to do something they haven't done in a long time...write without a prompt. They stared at me, not quite understanding what they were being asked to do. I had few requests: write a full page in ten minutes. Write on any subject. Change subjects if necessary. I grade only for completion. Why ask them to do this?
They don't know how to think creatively or create something all their own. Instead, our system has routinely given them prompts and strict expectations for their writing. It's no wonder I've been frustrated this year, but I think I've now found something we might enjoy.
Challenging my students is a joy. Watching as their faces light up when they discover something makes all the frustrations disappear, at least for a short time. Working with them, showing them different ways of anwering questions or encouraging them to think for themselves is, partly, why I went into teaching.
I've read a number of "I quit" articles recently about teachers who are frustrated with the profession, the national and state requirements, laws that force an incomplete evaluation system on teachers, and accountability through standardized testing and merit pay, all of which are reasons for them to leave. It's that time of year; we're tired, the students are tired. We've come through nearly all of our testing season reasonably intact. We are headed toward the end of the school year.
It's easy to focus on the negatives: rude, entitled students, obnoxious parents, incompetent administrators, inconsiderate colleagues, and the mounds of work left to do. However, what about the positives? My positives for the year include: students who have improved their writing, thinking, and speaking; students who have made me laugh; students who look forward to walking through my classroom door; colleagues who challenge me and provide necessary feedback; a couple supportive administrators; and students who come back to tell me thanks.
When I began teaching, I wanted to save all students, inspire them, motivate them, show them their paths. I was young--24--and I knew I could make a difference in the lives of teenagers. Amazingly, despite all the negatives that have happened over the years, I retain some of those same feelings. My job is to inspire, motivate, correct, and help teens find their life paths. While I know I cannot save all my students from their errors, I try to help as many as I can.
I admire those teachers who leave the profession because they've had it. It's understandable. I, too, am tired of reading negative remarks about how lazy teachers are or how we "have it easy." I am tired of feeling marginalized because I've chosen to teach. Our country's lack of value of education is deeply concerning. But I aso look forward to each day I spend with many of my students. They inspire and motivate me. They help me find a better path to reach more students.
And that is why I continue to teach.
