Monday, November 25, 2013
A few weeks before creating this blog I watched the Pivot documentary "Teach." It was not watched without tears. I wondered how those teachers could make such a difference in their student's lives. How would I do the same? I want my students to change. I want them to go from "I hate school" to "I love and need school." But, how do I do that? I wan to inspire my students.
With the fall semester sadly, yet excitedly, coming to a close, today was the second to last tutoring session with my first grader. It was 12 weeks ago that we first met. She could barely read. She was as low as my four year old son who is not yet in Kindergarten. This was my first time being a tutor. I was worried and scared. Feeling a bit unsure about everything that I was doing with her, I kept at it. I assessed, treated, then reassessed, as we were told to do. We started off reading books at a level C, then I instinctively upped it to a level D. I felt that she could handle it. She did.
During today's session I did the level 6 DRA with her. I was worried that it would be too tough. Let's just say she scored a 96% in accuracy and an 18/24 in comprehension!!!!!!! She did it!!!!! She can read!!! I am so, so, SO proud of her. Next week, our last meeting, we're just going to play some reading games, and I'm thinking of making her a chalkboard necklace. She'll love that.
She did this all on her own. I felt that I didn't do this, she did. Then, I started thinking about how motivated she has become. I am not sure if I have anything to do with her new found motivation, but that is what has given her the power to read.
As I drove away from her school fighting back tears, I am sure that I will need to get my crying out before our last session. I am going to miss her so much. Sure, I will have other students in the future, but none of them will be her. I really hope that she doesn't cry next week. I don't know what I'll do. I don't know how those teachers on "Teach" fought back their tears, goodness.
In the beginning, I prayed. I asked God to give she and I the tools for her to get up to reading proficiency. It happened. I thanked God, over and over again.
I've changed in that God has shown me how I will change my future students. Motivation. Once I get them motivated, nothing will stop their success.
