Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Teaching to Change Lives
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.
Tag :
assessment,
change,
difference,
DRA,
make,
motivate,
motivation,
Pivot,
read,
reading,
school,
student,
teach,
teacher,
tutor,
tutor make difference,
Teacher Slayings
Teacher killings: I hate it. We did not get into this career to have to guard our lives the way law enforcement does.
Students killing students: I hate it! Schools are safe zones. It should be family away from home. Or, in some unfortunate cases,a child's only family.
Schools will be changed forever. Change must happen.
All of America must be held responsible for the care and well being of our youth, one way or another. It takes a village to raise a child, right?
...and on this day, a blogger was born.
This is the start of my very first blog. I normally keep most of my thoughts to myself, but I've realized that I may need an outlet. Blogs seem to be the modern day diary. I figured why not try it. Maybe I can spark conversation about education and get some of my questions answered. I've seen many teacher blogs but only one future teacher blog, but she is no longer a future teacher. So, I decided that I will try my hand at this. I will use this space to reflect, and jot down ideas.
I feel like I might need this. So, welcome to my journal. I hold the pages open for you to read, think about, and share your ideas.
Side Note: I don't know how to do this yet, so bare with me.
