If you were an eighth-grade student in my class over the years, you were bound to hear nine words leave my mouth frequently. “Before you know it, you’re going to high school!” A few of my students have gone on to higher education and have sent me some form of correspondence that referred to my quote. It even reached the point that in my last few years I recorded my students chanting “before you know it, you’re going to high school” on the first day of school. I made a quick 10-15 second video of the students in each class period and consolidated it into one presentation that I would debut during the last few days of school. A major purpose for me doing what I described was to instill the concept in each student that whatever we do, the end goal is in mind. Some people say that “time waits for no man” and as the year proceeded I constantly remind them of my expectations, the school & county’s promotional criteria, and their personal goals that we established together.
In my class we often would use any down-time or advisement period during ELT, extended learning time, to discuss real-life skills and character development. I made in a point to develop rapport with my students, as I previously stated, and the importance of ownership. For students to be successful, I believe that they really need to take ownership in their education, and if they do, they can continue to strive for success regardless of personal feelings toward teachers, lack of interest in content, or difficulty with class workload.
Yes, I did present engaging lessons, provide opportunities for tutoring, conducted lab activities, contacted parents, and so many other methods for student success, but their education still fell in their hands. I could encourage and prompt, but I could not make them learn. Purpose was an emphasis when introducing lessons to hopefully increase the level of engagement. While preparing my students for life, I had to deal with the reality that they also had standardized tests to pass at the end of the year. For years my students had to pass a writing test to be promoted. Even if they were unsuccessful with standardized tests, a student support team could determine if they could still be promoted, but there was no leeway with the Writing Test! I recall one students that was near honor roll status, passed all his end of year tests, but never passed the Writing Test and was retained. I believe it’s safe to say that that assessment was regarded as something of highest importance! One of the basic requirements for final submission for each student was a 5-paragraph persuasive or exploratory essay written in black or blue ink.
So, the dreaded day finally came one year, the time to take our state’s Writing Test. I stood before the class with a plastic bin, containing all the testing materials, that was distributed almost under lock and key. I distributed the test folders, pencils, and read the instructions to administer the test. During the testing window there were prompts that I had to read aloud that gave them a suggested phase of writing they should be in along with the remaining amount of time. When we got to the final draft segment, I went into my testing bin to reach for the box of pens “provided” for the students. I immediately realized that the boxes that were buried in the bin were all almost completely empty. So, there we were, minutes left, and no pens. No book-bags were allowed in the room since it was a testing environment, and only a few students brought their own pens. Most of my materials were boxed up and locked up for the conclusion of the year. I took a few brief moments to instill a life lesson. I told my students that they should never enter an assessment that they needed to pass expecting someone else to provide what you needed to be successful!
We managed to scrape together some pens, and everyone was able to finish, but I truly believe that message came across. Ownership in education is imperative. If a student makes up in their mind that despite all challenges, difficulties, and obstacles that their education, thus future, belongs to them then my job is complete. So, I say to all my students “the road may not be easy, may even be outright treacherous at times, but since the path leads to your success then when not endure the journey. Your journey.
The Jeremy Anderson Group