justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

Observations of a Substitute Teacher XII

Grades

Every time I moved over the past seven decades, I ran across my report cards from high school. They serve as a reminder of my abilities, my performance, and most importantly, my lack of application of my intelligence.

As a public school student, I did not apply myself. I got by on my natural abilities, rarely did homework, and never established good study habits. In addition to my lassez-faire attitude, my behavior was borderline delinquent, talking far too much, and trying to be funny by making corny comments. Most all my grades in citizenship were near failing, which contributed to my poor standing as a student.

I did graduate from high school and immediately entered college, where I spent an uneventful year before joining the Marine Corps. (When I left I was on academic probation.)

I can see myself in many of the students I’ve been working with as a substitute teacher over the past 18 months, and can relate to their far too casual attitude towards school. I can’t recall any teacher intervention that ever tried to re-direct me towards a more responsible learning path in school. In short, it really didn’t seem important to me.

When I encounter students I’m teaching who happen to be less than engaged, or not responding at the level I believe they should, I mention my personal experiences, provide specific direction concerning measured and understood “baby steps”, and recognize they celebrate any accomplishments that exceed their usual expectations.

(It took the intervention of a fellow wrestler in college to sit with me and share just how “study habits” worked for him. After that I was a near straight “A” student.)

You’ll notice I don’t refer to the commonly used term “potential”. The reason for that is this term was used indiscriminately with me as I was growing up, seemingly as a weapon, when in reality no one knew just what my potential was. I surely didn’t know. In my mind I was doing the best I could with what I had.

I favor the term “capacity”, as I can discuss with my students how much, or what they can do differently with where they are at a particular time.

I’ll be expanding further on my philosophy concerning one’s “potential” versus one’s “capacity.”