If you could change “school” what would you want it to look like? You are already a bright kid, I can tell just by your writing and I’d like to tell you it get’s easier. But, I don’t know that it does. It sounds to me that you have identified a problem. Do you realize how big it is?
We are born and told to walk and talk only to be told to sit down and shut up. I feel this pain. Not to sound like an old guy, but the reality of learning stuff that we knew 100 years ago is important. It truly isn’t that long ago. Grasp the timeline and see that if we teach everything to everyone how it is now, then we may fail to identify the red flags that could warn us of trouble before it ever has a chance to surface.
As an educator, you want to know what I worry about? I can tell you it was never the standardized test. For some reason, I feel that if you have a fundamental grasp and can converse about a topic, then you are demonstrating mastery. Being able to hold a conversation and engage not as a means to be right or wrong, but rather check your thinking against another thinking individual helps. This is how you self-correct and thus truly grow.
But, how do I know students are using their technology for appropriate reasons while at school? What do I do when I walk around and see every one watching videos or looking at sneakers? This isn’t encouraging. Remember, we must lead through modeling. I support your endeavors and challenge you to show us what the new student of the internet age is.
Personally, I think a blog should be kept and maintained as a way to help the community keep tabs and help grade and raise the village together. But, the problem is that there are really bad people out there and that is recipe for disaster. You really can’t trust. It hurts my heart sometimes to say that.
To conclude, Isabella, keep rocking. Since you are a writer, may I present some questions for you to ponder.
- Using years that you have already graduated from, what is the student at that grade capable of? What skills should they have? How do they demonstrate mastery? For every scantron test that you want replaced, you must have an alternative assessment to be critiqued instead. Who knows…you may end up changing the world and not even know it because of this. Always plant a tree whenever one is chopped down.
- What is the general morale at school? What makes it fun? What makes it boring? May I challenge you to present for every time that you are bored in class or at school, then you must reflect and write in your journal how you could change the activity to better teach and reach students like you.
- Switch gears, what behavioral changes or mannerisms should students have towards themselves? Other students? Their teacher? What are the consequences if these customs aren’t respected?
- Think from a legal point of view…how do we make sure that students are educated? What does education look like?
- What could we do to help you succeed?
I’m rooting for you and will be following up to see what you’re thinking about, ok? Tell us what you are learning and why you think that. But, be prepared. The scary thing at first is when you start putting yourself out there, there are haters. Don’t let them get to you. They are mad because you are doing something.
Once you identify people out here truly wanting to see students shine, take criticism as family feedback. The realness you need to hear to help you. But, you are not forced to act on anything. Always think for yourself. Nothing at face value right away. OK?
Otherwise you’ll end up like me -$3,500 in debt because you thought someone would pay for writing and to hire…what a chump. How could I be so dumb!?!?! That’s not your problem though.
I’d like to end with this. The cram-cram-A’s-A’s stress…block it. Close your eyes and develop a forcefield that only you can see and let it cover and shield you from the negativity that is jealous of the greatness that is waiting to sprout. You live in a time and age where origins mean different things than I was your age. Just because the information travels fast doesn’t mean you need to live that way. We should be living slower lives right now. But with fast internet of course! Enjoy being young. You don’t need to rush. Whatever big idea that is brewing in that little head of yours is going to continue to grow. Don’t worry about being the first with it…instead start to see how people have the same idea but slightly differently…but it’s the same thing.
Peace,
Steezy
