If Only for One Student

The First Year of Teaching

Everyone who has taught knows that the first year of teaching is a roller coaster. Now that I am a bit more experienced, I can say that every year is about the same.

Each year the anticipation is directed towards improving on certain areas from last year. The feeling of survival is due to taking on more roles or the load put on ourselves. Maybe we decided to try a club, coach, make videos, or make a website. The low point occurs when perfection in all of these areas is seemingly improbable, but the students were told of these endeavors and we don’t want to let them down. The sense that we are all human kicks in, and we learn from our mistakes and direct the improvements to the start of next year. The cycle repeats and repeats.

If Only for One Student

As a teacher, I have little time to reflect on a day-to-day basis. Now that I have time, I realize that the chart above can look like each day. Unfortunately, most days do not involve an ending where my positivity reaches levels of where the day started. I am sure many feel this way and I wanted to share how I manage.

Review for an AP Exam

One day after school, I stayed 2-3 hours after the last bell rang. I had planned on creating review cards for the AP Physics course I was teaching. It was my second year; I had not yet learned that every big idea is not worth the time. I spent around $60 on different colored cardstock, key rings, and bags. I made roughly 50 Physics problems with step-by-step solutions and commentary. While I was creating the review, I chuckled to myself repeatedly. Halfway through I realized this most likely was not worth the money or time. I told myself that if this helped one student then the adventure was a success.

The Next Day

The following day I had the notecards laid on a few back tables. When the students walked in, I asked them to grab one of each notecard, hole-punch them, put them on a keyring, and place them in a bag. There were of course some complaints, any physical labor will create these. The solution is to put on a timer and play some music. Students will do anything to beat a timer. After they completed, I told them how I expected the notecards to be used. There were questions like, “Why did you do this?”, “How much did this cost?”, and “How long did this take?”. I told them the truth and said that I hoped to impact at least one of them. If I could change one life, then it was a success. I did not think there was any significance in my words, I apparently make speeches a lot. However, like I said, rarely do I have time to reflect on everything I do.

About a Week Later

We were a few days away from the AP exam. I do not remember what we were discussing, but the notecards came up. I asked if they were helpful and my students were nice. Then a student said, “I am that one student!”. At first, I did not know what the student was getting at. The student noticed and said, “the reason why you made the notecards. I am that one student, I studied these things for hours all week.” I laughed and smiled. I have always been amazed about what students remember.

Advice to Teachers

Any day that is difficult I now think in a similar mindset as I was creating the review for my students. If the class is a mess or the day is going horribly, I scan the room for the few students I know I made a difference with. When students are bored there are always a few excited, when students are confused there are always a few that get it, and when it seems you do not want to come back the next day there are students that want you there. At the end of the day, these are the thoughts I try to bring to the forefront. My advice to anyone; try your best to think positively and know that kids remember everything.

Advice to Students

If you have teachers or anyone in your life that you appreciate, then tell them. It only takes a few words to change someone’s life.

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education blog: mattedition.com

Submitted June 18, 2020 at 04:39AM by mattsnotes https://ift.tt/2AFAeh4