pull down to refresh
24 sats \ 4 replies \ @SimpleStacker 17 Jul \ on: What negative feedback have you received recently? AskSN
I was criticized once for not being engaging enough while teaching (just lecturing without having much student involvement.)
I think it's a legitimate criticism. But it's not that I haven't tried. It's just that so often when I try to involve the students they don't reciprocate. So it's a two-way street. I don't think it's fair to always blame the teacher for everything.
What keeps you going in teaching all these years?
reply
Well, a couple of reasons.
For every teaching low, there is also a teaching high. I got to orange pill my class once (#899199), and will continue to do so going forward. I've helped a number of students achieve their goal of going to grad school, or get jobs in nice firms. Overall, our school is very good at moving students up the socioeconomic ladder since most come from underserved and minority backgrounds.
I have to remind myself not to take the lack of engagement personally. A lot of these students work part time or even full time jobs, or have family to take care of. (Like I said, many of the students come from underprivileged backgrounds). It's hard for them to muster the energy to take class seriously. It makes teaching hard, and it probably means they're not learning a lot.... but I guess getting that degree is still better for them than not getting it, even if they don't learn much. So I guess I'm just a step on that ladder... and can I blame them for using me that way? I get paid for it after all.
And lastly, I can't deny that it's just a fairly cushy job. It doesn't pay great, but I get a lot of free time that lets me pursue other interests.
reply
I’m glad that you find meaning in what you do when you look at the totality of your job. Many teachers get jaded because they can’t reconcile the gap between their ideal world and the stark reality.
I also think some of the lessons we teach now will only resonate and sink in with them years after our time with them. Sowing seeds in our students’ minds is a common analogy used in this instance. I tend to think of it as me using a sledgehammer to break down some of their resistance - so that the next teacher who comes along will have an easier time getting through to them.
共勉之
reply
I'm more eloquent about it when I can pause to think about it.
The reality is I often feel very demoralized because of the students' low effort and lack of care. Students that are actually enthusiastic about learning are in the definite minority
reply