Excellence in Education: Having High Expectations for Students and Higher Expectations for Ourselves
On my drive home--it was a rare day where I hadn't biked--I reflected on the day and was curious to see if the student had made it to his class. As I pulled my car into my parking spot, I logged into PowerSchool. The student hadn't made it to his next class. I emailed his 2nd block teacher to see if he had made it the class after I had talked to him and awaited the reply. An hour or two later the email came, "No, he didn't."
I had failed and I recognized I hadn't met my own expectations. Yes, it was easier for me and for the student to let it slide, but as soon as I allow that, the bar cannot be raised. The lower expectations become the new norm.
Seven months ago, I had lofty expectations for myself and my students. Like I do every year, I pledged to hold my students--all of them--accountable. Included in my pledge this year: “I will not let any student’s past determine their present; when challenged, I will only work harder to ensure their success."
The other day, however, I caught myself slacking. My first day optimism waned and my mid-year frustrations impacted my attitude. I’m ashamed to say that I allowed student problems to impact my attitude, and my effort. I caught one of my frequent fliers skipping class. Rather than addressing the student’s misbehavior, I let my expectations slide, and only encouraged the student to go to class. I didn't even follow-up to see if he had made it to class.
On my drive home--it was a rare day where I hadn't biked--I reflected on the day and was curious to see if the student had made it to his class. As I pulled my car into my parking spot, I logged into PowerSchool. The student hadn't made it to his next class. I emailed his 2nd block teacher to see if he had made it the class after I had talked to him and awaited the reply. An hour or two later the email came, "No, he didn't."
I had failed and I recognized I hadn't met my own expectations. Yes, it was easier for me and for the student to let it slide, but as soon as I allow that, the bar cannot be raised. The lower expectations become the new norm.
This is a tough stretch. I challenged myself and now I challenge you: rather than let the school’s problems--whatever they may be--impact your attitude, flip it so that your attitude shapes your actions.
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February 19: Alexa Dostart
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