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Misguided Angel

Reflections on a new year of teaching...

Never Try to Teach A Pig to Sing

It wastes your time and it annoys the pig.  This is related to setting expectations.  Negative people are a waste of time, but they are persistent.  They never give up trying to point out defeat, so I have found it is best to kick back and watch.  I don't contradict, I don't have to attend every argument I am invited to.  I listen to endless tirades of "You want them to do what?"  "They'll never catch up--it is too hard!"  Really?  How many opportunities to teach do you think we miss when we act according to this little miserable blueprint? I'm tired of hearing what I can or cannot do.  And I am not in the business of converting adults.  They can think for themselves and have to take the heat for their own mistakes, as I try to do with mine. What makes me laugh is the more I ignore snide remarks, whining, and condescending looks, the harder they try to sell me on why I should not spend my energy or effort working harder. Sometimes, it makes me wish I could throw things.  This whole dream sequence, where we would be having a grade level, and the first person to start a sentence with "There is no way..." would be clonked in the head!  Of course, when I'm yanked back to reality and I am sitting in my chair, nodding politely and wearing the smile. Throwing stuff never does any good.  Do your fighting in the classroom. These kids are ready to be challenged; they need it, they crave it.  I also thrive on the little trouble makers.  They are so much more fun than the bland, well-behaved kids.  Give me a class where we make each other laugh, and we'll make our way. Besides,  I keep them so busy, they don't have time to give me grief.  Read the "hard books" with your students; let them do their work on their own and make mistakes; pose more questions than you answer.  I want to be able to walk into my room when the kids don't even need me to be there. Same goes for the student teachers I mentor.  I may be a pain in the neck, bossy, and pushy.  But I don't believe in setting or living with low expectations.  
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Posted: Sunday, January 03, 2010 10:28 PM by JCK
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