Petals and Thorns - In the Classroom

As this school year draws to a close, I find it harder to live in the moment. My mind is already looking forward to a summer of planning...figuring out what worked, throwing away what didn't, getting organized, etc.

For the most part, my students love me....and that is almost a problem. I say almost because I would prefer that they hate me but say, "We sure did learn a lot though."

Or....maybe not.

I have had several students speak to me in confidence...about what? Well I won't say...that's confidence, ya know?

But the teachers they hated would never have been approached with the kinds of personal problems that change an individual's outlook on the world. If everyone is the super teacher that kids hate, who is going to be the one they feel that they can talk to? And with what they are going through, TRUST they need to talk to someone.

These days, its all about striking a balance. More than ever, next year, I am determined to BE the rose...sweet enough to make you smile, with thorns enough to demand respect and care when dealing with me. But what I honestly want is more than that. I am not deluded enough to think that I will turn out 180 self-reliant, respectful, intrinsically motivated individuals damn near ready for college after 166 days of instruction....but I can do better than I did in working towards that lofty goal this year.

LOL....my kids are spoiled. They are still asking me or classmates to define words (sometimes with a computer in front of them) rather than finding out for themselves. They will ask me a question in class RIGHT after I have answered it in instructions. This simply won't do.

Yet, some of them will have amazing insights into literature and relationships that they weren't having when they came to me...at least not at first. I can see where they have grown, but it isn't enough for me to feel comfortable with them going on. However, the year is over. My time with them is done. Whatever they didn't get from me, I will have to trust the next teacher(s) to give them...and them to reach out and grab it for themselves. Some of them I hate to see step into someone's college the way they are now...but all I can do is trust in next year's growth, maturity, their personal drive and their educators to finish the job.

I hope they never give me seniors...at least, not until I feel that I am ready for them. I would hate to be the last stop on their trip to "The Real World" (the REAL real world...not that bullshit on MTV. More like The Cosby Show spin-off...A Different World)

So, fair reader, this is me, fine-tuning the recipe.

A Great Teacher Has/Demonstrates/Uses.....

1. Open-mindedness balanced with demand for respect
2. Relevancy to draw students into content balanced with a demand that they DO learn the content.
3. Attitude which invites students to think, while making it impossible to pass if they don't (I think I might ALMOST have this one down :-) )
4. A "hard as nails" demeanor balanced with an approachable attitude...DON'T mess with me, but you CAN talk to me (again...getting there)
5. Professionalism balanced with an attitude that makes students aware that they can relate their teacher (almost)
6. A disciplined classroom balanced with allowance for freedom and free thought (getting there)
7. Rigor in instruction balanced with ease of comprehension for students

I suppose I will revisit this next year - if I am still here - to add to this list and update my progress.

If you don't teach, I doubt you will even understand what I am saying or why I am saying it. Just know that if you think about your BEST teachers as people and instructors, you might find that they mastered this delicate balance between the petals and thorns in education.