March 5, 2010
It is that time of year in districts—winter assessments, report cards and parent conferences. Do you find that for some of your students, this is a joyous celebration of growth and success? And for others who don't make the progress hoped for, it can be a time of discouragement and frustration?
We were chatting with a teacher who had just finished her student's assessments. She was recording the data on the excel sheet to be turned in to the district. This intelligent teacher was remarking on how disheartening it was to see so many of her student's cells filled with numbers that showed less than desirable growth. "I am not frustrated with my students," she remarked. "They are working hard. The results necessitate me taking a look at differing my instruction to better meet my student's needs. After all, I don't teach cells on an excel sheet, I teach children! I'm excited and energized by the challenge."
"Success comes to people who are willing to take on challenges." —Ann Curry