"As a result of working in middle school, I am much more self-reflective. Looking at students' work has become the driving force behind my instruction. It is the kids who show us what they need and where we need to go next. 'Follow the child.'"
--Juli Kendall, reading teacher/coach
Whittier School, Long Beach CA
It has been a long road to get me to the place where I can say that this is true for me. I once went to a workshop on dealing with students who are non-compliant and the presenter said something along the lines of how the first 10 years or so, he shouldn't have been paid for teaching, because they were just practice. Truly that could be my own sentiment. It has been about 10 years to get me to the point where I'm comfortable using students' work as my gauge, rather than feeling like it's my responsibility to cover all curriculum that is listed for my subject areas. I feel it is my responsibility to take students from where they are and TRY to cover all the curriculum, but some just aren't ready for it all. Am I doing an injustice to my students? I don't think so. I need to consider each individual child...that's what being a middle school teacher is all about, isn't it?
Don't be too hard on yourself. We've all felt that way at one time or another. There are so many variables in teaching...and especially in teaching young adolescents...that sometimes it feels as if we are getting anywhere.
ReplyDeleteThe curriculum piece in particular is complicated and simple at the same time. We simply need to figure out what young adolescents need! Easy, right?