The part that is hardest about teaching actual classes is that you have to actual class kinds of things. One of those is grading each student in your class.
So what do you grade? Some of my students don't read or write.. not even a little. Most of them do however. Much of their written and spoken constructions are not anywhere near their age equivalents. So.. what makes an A or B or even a C?
I think that effort and try should be what my students are graded upon. Students trying their hardest should be rewarded for this. Many have given up long ago and it takes some priming to get the pump working. Most of them have a voice spoken and written. The burden is on the educational setting to allow for that individual voice to be developed. If students are given choices and allowed to express their involvement as they go along they will grow. Most students have been pushed down a certain pathway that making decision and expressing choice is truly an upper level skill. So they need help looking at alternatives and possibilities and trying out choices that won't inflict damage. This builds confidence and eventually independent thinkers.
So the year is half over. The first semester is completed. So far its been a pretty tough year.
We haven't negotiated yet except around the contract violation that sent 300+ cases to the grievance process.
I am glad we were able to come up with a solution for that.
: ) Pat
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