Friday, October 11, 2013

How To Know If You Are Any Good

 

The students arrive in class early and ask questions about the homework, wanting to know why they couldn't get the exact answer that is in the back of the book.  During class they answer and ask and help one another.  They smile when they understand.  I know they know what is going on.  I know without them raising a left or right hand (the way my former AP insisted kids let us know when they get something.)  I can tell they are learning because they are happy.  Overall, students want to be taught and are not happy in classes where no education takes place and, no matter what they say, almost no one values that A that was not earned.

I meet former students on campus, on the bus, subway and restaurants.  They thank me for what I have taught them in the past.  They claim they would not be where they are today if not for me.  Whether that is true or not, is doubtful, but the fact they believe is what matters to me.

I don't need Danielson or a pisher AP to tell me if I taught a good lesson.  The kids I teach, and have taught, let me know all the time.

More Art Of The Brick pictures here.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

the evaluation system that Albany (Cuomo) wants so badly is just a bunch of mishegos... what the students will get out of this is a bunch of bubkes..


Trace