This Is Only A Test
I just finished giving one of my schools their speaking tests. It's rewarding seeing those that began the year without saying a word being able to speak a little, and those that could only speak a little, spill it without very little prompting.
I don't propose that it was me that taught them the tools they needed to develop the way they have. I do think that much of learning is due to chronology and self awareness. Those that are curious about *all things a little, will learn more than those that just let it play out. I suppose here, we get it a little more since the kids are basically tracked into their lives. If they don't do well here, they won't be able to move up to the next bracket and in fact, basically get sent down, "into the farm system".
I'm okay with that, too, since the world does indeed need ditch diggers and such, but I wish even I had considered, *really considered my options when I was younger. While rooting around in shit doesn't sound so glamorous, the plumbing profession would certainly offer a ton of benefits. The trouble with the kids that don't do well here, I feel, is they're not even going to go as far as the blue collar route. They'll be delivering pizzas or Chinese food, or who knows what. There again, as long as they're healthy, happy, and not struggling to survive, I am fine with that, too - as long as they are.
All of the students save a few excelled, and a few even surprised. It's one of the few treats I feel teachers get, and that is to actually see the growth or lights come on, because it doesn't always happen, and when it does, you can't, I feel, necessarily take any credit for it. There are too many other helper links in the chain.
I don't propose that it was me that taught them the tools they needed to develop the way they have. I do think that much of learning is due to chronology and self awareness. Those that are curious about *all things a little, will learn more than those that just let it play out. I suppose here, we get it a little more since the kids are basically tracked into their lives. If they don't do well here, they won't be able to move up to the next bracket and in fact, basically get sent down, "into the farm system".
I'm okay with that, too, since the world does indeed need ditch diggers and such, but I wish even I had considered, *really considered my options when I was younger. While rooting around in shit doesn't sound so glamorous, the plumbing profession would certainly offer a ton of benefits. The trouble with the kids that don't do well here, I feel, is they're not even going to go as far as the blue collar route. They'll be delivering pizzas or Chinese food, or who knows what. There again, as long as they're healthy, happy, and not struggling to survive, I am fine with that, too - as long as they are.
All of the students save a few excelled, and a few even surprised. It's one of the few treats I feel teachers get, and that is to actually see the growth or lights come on, because it doesn't always happen, and when it does, you can't, I feel, necessarily take any credit for it. There are too many other helper links in the chain.
Comments
Post a Comment