I’m on spring break. Spending the week with my man in his town: Columbus. This week is supposed to be an enjoyable vacation and, most of all, stress-free, right? It’s not.
Before you go jumping to conclusions, my man is not the source of stress. The stress comes from work (I made the mistake of checking my email this morning and seeing that yet another parent is unhappy) and, more specifically can be boiled down to one question: Am I effective?
I just finished grading eleven papers–worksheets turned in, and there should have been about 27 of them. The worksheets were to force them to practice outlining. Most of the students who did the paper completely missed the method, point, and idea. For me?: Frustration. Anger. Self-doubt.
I’m frustrated with students who don’t listen. Also, I realize that some students listen but still don’t get it. So, I gave them PowerPoint sponsored notes so they could see, write, and interact with the materials. We discussed the skills, practiced the skills and I even gave them many many many chances to demonstrate that they knew the materials. Still. I’m very frustrated that so many of them seem to have completely missed the boat.
I’m angry that, in the mist of all the practice I gave them, they didn’t ask questions, didn’t take responsibility for their work, and didn’t push themselves to improve nearly as much as they should have.
And I doubt myself. Did I present the materials as best I could? What could I have done better? Why did Justin completely grasp the concepts, smash the worksheet out of the park, and rock it, while Marcus still blew it, scoring only one point of sixteen. Still, Joe, who works really hard, did well on the worksheet while Hillarey, who usually does well, bombed it.
I know there are many many factors, besides me, that play a role in whether or not a student grasps the concepts presented in a classroom. I just want all students to get it. I want them all to rock it. I want to be an effective teacher.
More than that, though, I want to be an effective human being. I want to serve God effectively. I want to love others effectively. I want to clean my house effectively. I want to share my thoughts effectively. Eat effectively. Move effectively. Type effectively. I want to live effectively.
How can I be a more effective teacher? human being? child of God?
Lord,
Help me to be more effective for you. Help me to see what others need for me to bring them to You and meet them on their turf to do so.
In Your name I pray… continually…