So I just read my student ratings from last semester. I have been waiting for a day when I feel good, not too emotional, and like I can handle the berating from some upset students. What I decided to do, after reading reviews from my first class, was read the "Suggestions" aka "what I hated about my teacher" section first, and then read the positive remarks second. Overall, the comments were helpful, there was some good feedback, and of course, the "I hate Mrs. Clark because...comments". I find the feedback useful, but emotionally stressful, mostly because any insecurities that I have teaching (which there are) are pointed out in a straight forward, there you have it way. Truth be told, I still haven't figured out how to write a good test...any teachers out there, I will gladly take suggestions; my voice is quiet...no matter how hard I try to speak loud and clear, it just doesn't carry well (so sit in the front of the class, not the back); and sometimes I am not as confident as I should be, but I know that has improved. But, I disagree with students who think I grade too hard on papers! What...is expecting good sentence structure, clear cohesive sentences and paragraphs, and giving credit where credit is due (i.e. so I copied this out of the textbook, do I really have to give the author of the book credit?) too much to ask? People, I teach COMMUNICATIONS!! Yes, you
must be able to write well in my class, funny that a communications teacher would want clear writing! Ahh! It is interesting too how some students love the slides I provide, the video clips, the discussions, the examples, etc. etc. ...others hate it and find my classes terribly boring.
What I have learned is, I can't please every student, because each student learns in a different way. I have learned that many students find it terribly strict that I take attendance each day, but I do! And I have learned that I really enjoy teaching. I can't please them all, but I can help some of them learn and I can learn from them too. I have learned that I can provide an opportunity to get their brains thinking about subjects in a different way and get them to interact with each other.
And if all else fails, I will show them all my sweet jump in the snow from New Year's eve and challenge them to do better! Ha ha...kidding, it isn't sweet at all really, I just wanted to post a picture along with my rantings!
3 comments:
You take roll every day and expect people to do quality work!? How could you? My former student self dislikes all of these ideas, but my new student self (all two weeks of it)approves heartily.
I feel your pain. It's helpful, but emotionally draining. I often wish I could go back and defend the comments, but then I realize it's not worth it. There will always be someone who doesn't like your teaching style or you as a person. And that is their problem, not yours!
That is so hard. I taught first graders. They were pretty forgiving;) I think you're absolutely right, Caroline. It's your job as the teacher to have high expectations. It's totally their choice how to respond to that, but you know you're doing all you can to help them learn. It wouldn't be fair to their or your time to give them an easy ride. My high school AP English teacher had super high expectations; after I got over the shock and inital defensiveness, I was able to really step it up in her class. And we can't teach to everyone's learning style, it's just not possible. THANK YOU for expecting good writing! It's becoming a lost art. I'm sure you're a GREAT teacher and I'd love to be able to sit in on one of your classes!
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