Nothing disappoints me more than my own mediocrity. I can remember one teacher evaluation system by which I was evaluated as a music teacher in Texas. There were several items on the list that did not pertain to music classes, so the principal just gave me 3’s, which equated to a “C.” I had a fit. I felt that I should not be labeled as “mediocre” when I had no way to be able to score high. Often, we did not live on the military posts at which my husband was stationed. Know why? All the houses looked the same. Mine couldn’t stand out.
My first few years of teaching, I felt the need to stand out from all the rest so strongly that I wrote and produced dinner theater musicals, designed t-shirts for my students, and even organized a district-wide bike ride to support D.A.R.E. I wanted to be the best teacher my school had ever seen.
It wasn’t until I was pregnant with Bria and asked to slow down that I realized how little it takes to be above average nowadays. I had to rely on workbooks and worksheets, which I do not normally do; yet, people were still calling me an outstanding teacher.
I still do a lot more than the average teacher, but my motivation is not to impress. Instead, I do all of this because someone has to! I do it well because I want people to be impressed, but the amount of work I do is a necessity.
Our whole program at our school is based on doing more than what is required. We show kids all the time how little it takes to be above average nowadays. The kids know that their A’s don’t come cheaply; they have to actually work for them. They don’t desire to go out and make easy A’s in the public schools because they know they won’t get where they want to go.
I have been having my kids (6th- 10th) reflect upon the pandemic quarantine time and what they’ve learned. Can I just tell you that the kids are going to be okay?! I am really impressed with what our kids have learned about themselves, the nature of people, and how to use given time well since it is a gift. So many of the kids set goals, developed new interests, and began major projects. I am very impressed! For the first time in a long time, I see kids with hope for their futures. I’m saying that many before them felt the world was getting worse. This group is excited about the road ahead and the opportunities. Because we have been in school this whole time, they see the advantage they’ve had, and they don’t plan to waste this opportunity that propelled them out in front. These are truly exceptional kids!
- Michelle