Did you miss me? I know you did! Two days without me was probably just plain torture. My humor, sarcasm and amazingly brilliant ideas were all missing from your life. Well have no fear, because I’m back! And if you didn’t miss me or even notice I was gone, don’t say so because I’m fragile!
I had actually planned to do some fun blogs about my time in Chicago but I realized if I skipped two days my 100th blog post would happen Saturday which happens to be my 3…something birthday! Gifts are welcome (clip art, units, craftivities etc lol)! It’s a big weekend so stay tuned because you might benefit!
Today’s blog post is brought to you courtesy of the one, the only, THE MATERIAL GIRL! Thats right Madonna is responsible (ok ok ok partially) for this post. We rocked out hard at the concert last night! And let me just say it was an eclectic crowd! You had old couples reliving their youth, older women reliving the 80’s, you cute young straight and gay couples, you had the over the tops and the man with the Madonna cone costume (if you know what I mean!). We even saw Jamie Laurita from the Real Housewives of New Jersey! And he is now following us on Twitter! Back to my educational post.
Two days ago there was a story on NPR about teachers expectations and recent research on just how powerff teacher expectations on our students. Did you hear the story? If not, CLICK HERE! (BTW I am a HUGE NPR fan! It’s all I listen to in the car!). As I was listening to the story and later reading it on my iPad I began to question my expectations of students and how it affected my interactions. It wasn’t pretty people. Here’s why.
My students know that Mr. Greg expects them to be the best of the best. They know this an they tell you if you ask. That’s great, right? Sure. Mr. Greg expects that but do they want that? How do you instill that desire to be the best?
And then I got to thinking of my interactions with students. One in particular. And I was very disappointed in myself. This girl, let’s call her Diva, came in with ZERO. As the year has progressed she has just now learned to write her name. She knows 6 letters and can count 4. Can you say frustrating? So guess what I did? I made up my mind that she didn’t want to learn and that she didn’t care to be her best. People, how horrible and sad and infuriating is that? It turns my stomach. My expectations for her are keeping her from learning. She has no support at home and is in an environment void of learning and support and I gave up on her. That means I have failed as a teacher. I have an expectation for her and it’s directly affecting how I work with her. Completely unacceptable. What I I expected her to learn half of her letters by Halloween? And what if I expected her to count to 10 by Hallowen? My prediction is that she would meet that goal and probably more. My expectation (and this is based on research and not Greg’s random glitter clouded brain spasms) directly affects her succes. Why? Because my expectations of my students dictates my interactions with them and dictates how I teach.
And here is where Madonna comes in. Madonna and NPR working together to improve my teaching?! It’s a crazy world!
Last night during the Madonna concert she asked if you were “letting your light shine” and guess what? I had an AHA moment (Fitting that I had visited Harpo Studios earlier in the day!) In order for my students to be their best, I need to let my light shine on them. Madonna went on to say that by letting our light shine, we are allowing others to shine their light. In order for my friend Diva to shine, I have to let my light shine. That means I need to let my teaching light shine. I need to give Diva and all of my students the opportunity to be their best. My expectations need to change. My expectation should be and will be that my students will let their lights shine in their own unique way. And I will provide them the tools and guidance and opportunities they need to shine that light.
What are your expectations? Is your light shining? Is your light shining brightly enough to allow others to shine their light?
I hope you will use these posters to motivate yourself and your students!
