Expectations

Nothing amazes me more than how just sticking with a few high expectations changes how a student respnods to their learning. I have a couple of students that I believe have been given the message that they are "dumb," "not good at math," or "hopeless." By just telling these students that they can learn, waiting on them to try and then expecting them to explain their new learning, student begin to change their outlook on learning. Comments like, "I didn't realize this was so easy," or "I really understand this" make this job worth it! But oh, how education would be so different if teachers would just believe that ALL students can learn. They can! Teachers just need to figure out where the student is and what the next steps are for the students. I will admit, there have been many times that the limits to my creativity have shown...what the heck? What does this kid think? What am I supposed to do to get them back on track or on to the next level of this concept? This is when prayer comes in! It does help, creates an completely different learning environment when I pray before class...but in the moment works too! I have been silent in the blog for a while and it had much to do with many frustrations and challenges I have faced! When I realized that I wasn't praying about these issues and began to pray about them...life got better! Please pray for me and my students. Also, the teachers I work with. There has been many issues that are causing me to loose sight of my reason for being a teacher!