Joan Moser
October 14, 2011
"I think October is the hardest teaching month. You've already tried all of the tricks you can think of and some of those little troublemakers are still making their trouble. The house is a mess, there are piles everywhere. Parent-Teacher Conferences and report cards are looming. Thanksgiving vacation seems like a long way away..."
These words from a dear teaching friend ran through my mind the other day as I was working with a particularly challenging student. I was nearing the bottom of my own bag of tricks, fatigued and a bit frustrated, looking forward to the peace and quiet of my home.
Well, it used to be peaceful and quiet. Cooper, our new puppy, is a source of many things...but peace and quiet aren't among them. He is 18 weeks old now and I continue to learn about teaching, myself, and what is important in life through this furry little teacher.
18 weeks is supposedly a magical age when puppies make great progress and have things figured out -- like "bathrooms for dogs are outside, not inside" and "if I can go up the stairs 427 times a day, I can probably get down and don't need to whimper at the top until I'm rescued' and my personal favorite, 'some things are food and some things should never go in my mouth'. The key word is supposedly. Cooper's timetable does not seem to match.
I have tried every trick in my bag and every treat known to dog to encourage, cajole, train, teach and coach Cooper. Lately, I have been wondering what is wrong with him. He should be farther along in his training, especially given his age and the effort I've put forth.
"You're doing everything right, it just takes time." These words from a friend helped me get back on the patience train, and it was there that my thoughts turned back to October and the students in our care. How many times has someone implied or my own thoughts accused, "Shouldn't my kids be further along by now?" "Our stamina is still lagging. I haven't been able to start conferring. What is going on?"
Goals and expectations aren't bad. Yet, everyone is different. There is no 'magic age' for children or puppies (or teachers for that matter) when things just 'click.' So, we find out where they are, figure out the next step, and move them forward.
For Cooper the next step was an actual step. We started with a smaller goal, the bottom stair. There was coaching, a promised treat, a puppy jump, and exorbitant cheering and praise. He has mastered all the steps now and we're both reveling in his independence.
So, wherever your students are in relation to the goals you've set or the arbitrary milestones others have imposed, try not to be discouraged. If you are doing things well, it's just going to take time. Teach them, love them, enjoy them, and move them forward. Thanks again, Cooper.