The Real Benefits Of Teaching

By Beth Hedrick

I have been very fortunate throughout my 22 years of teaching to have taught on both ends of the grade-level spectrum. For the past few years I have been blessed to teach seventh graders. Many other educators (and my non-teacher friends) cannot even fathom the thought of taking on such a tremendous feat.

I, however, like a challenge.

Yes, middle school students can be challenging, depending on the day. But they also make me laugh every day and completely warm my heart on a regular basis. Here are some things I get to look forward to each day that confirms my love for teaching.

The Latest Trends
What I love watching, sort of like a domino effect, is the “catching on” of the latest trends. Each school year it is something different, depending on what grabs the attention and likes of the pre-teens. One year it was “Silly Bands”- those thin, silicone bracelets that are shaped like different objects. One day only a few would be wearing about fifty on their wrist, and the next week every child would have them. Wearing these trendy items spreads like wildfire. Ive seen everything from the whitest and brightest Converse tennis shoes you will ever see, worn with skirts and leggings, to fidget spinners, the Fitbit, and the most annoying trend ever: bottle flipping. No, wait, the most annoying trend: dabbing!

Popular songs, of course, have been sung by many, and I just knew if I heard the song of the month in the hallway one more time I would scream. Trends like these just crack me up, because no matter how ridiculous they look (remember the banana clip of the 80’s?) all the kids love them, even if they don’t really love them.

The Impulsivity
This characteristic of middle school students is probably the most challenging and difficult to manage. These kids can be so impulsive. The day could be going very smoothly, with the little worker bees reading and writing. Then a real bee can enter the room if my window is open, and it's all over. The impulsivity and their excitement quickly turns into mayhem and a contest on who can get the bee out, and I have to immediately put forth a great amount of energy to squelch it.

Anytime something like this occurs, the unthinkable happens. The principal decides to make her grand entrance in my classroom to do an observation. I can have an hour of pure quiet and a blissful learning environment, but the second the kids decide, pretty much on cue, to do something crazy, in walks the principal. Luckily, she has also seen my classroom on calmer days, or in calmer moments, so rather than becoming frustrated about it, I just laugh. Kids are kids; they are human, and there are times in the day where they are just going to be plain goofy.

The Empathy
I cannot get over how much empathy the students have for one another, and me as well. They may not always act like they care, but they (deep, deep down) do. There are several times a week that my heart becomes bigger from their actions. Case in point: one time, last year, I had a headache that lasted for a few days. After the second day, I must have at some point mentioned that I had a headache and it just didn’t want to go away. The next day, one of my students walked up to my desk, opened his lunch cooler and pulled out an ice pack. He told me that he knew he couldn’t bring me actual medicine, and his mom said that sometimes an ice pack on the head or neck can help headaches. Wow.

Before holiday break, the students bring little gifts for each of their circle of friends. They usually exchange them during break time or in the hall before school. Last year, there was a bag of wrapped presents behind my desk, and I wasn’t sure why it was there. Later that day, one of my students told me that she left it there to give out to the students who she knew wouldn’t get any gifts. There were maybe ten wrapped gifts in there that she gave out at the end of the day. Another “wow” moment for me to witness!

Kind Deeds
I can’t count how many times I have seen my students do kind deeds for each other, or for people they don’t even know. They make cards for soldiers overseas, bring in soft and fluffy slipper-socks to donate to the local nursing home, raise money for cancer patients, and so much more. They really do want to do right, and there, of course, are moments where I may doubt them for a second, but when I do, they most definitely redeem themselves. And even those who are not as kind as others, well, they are surrounded by kindness from their peers. Hey, we all learn from example, right?

In addition to the heartwarming and laughter I receive from my students, as all teachers do, I also love their reactions to learning something new. This is a given in education; many teachers do this job because of the reward of seeing their students’ faces as they acquire new concepts. This is very important, of course, but what I believe is the most important thing of all is the well-rounded learning experiences they receive. Yes, academics are important, but life is made up of many facets of development. The social and emotional areas of development, to me, are just as important. As they go through their school years, character development is such an amazing thing for them to continue to acquire, and is such a wonderful thing for me to be a part of!

Beth Hedrick has been educating students for 22 years. She teaches in a rural southwest Virginia community that values the education of every student. She is the mother of two boys, Aaron and Landon, and is married to Todd.

She is an advocate for Autism Awareness, as her son Landon has Asperger’s Syndrome. She has served on her community and school system’s autism support team. Beth enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her Basset Hound, Lenny. She also likes to read, write, blog, and travel in the summer months. 

The Perfect Fall Tour For Your Students

By Beth Hedrick

The season of fall is well upon us, and the weather is ideal for an educational and exciting trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country and Gettysburg. Your students will basically get three field trips in one and will explore many different subject areas by actually doing and seeing with their own inquisitive eyes. Important core subject areas sprinkled with student inquiry, critical thinking, experience-based and hands-on learning (in addition to generating dialogue) is precisely what this traveling experience will give to the students…and you!

The Amish have always been very intriguing to me. Many of my students have never seen the Amish or their lifestyle. They may have learned about their lifestyle and their beliefs in a textbook, but that is certainly no match to experiencing this culture first hand. Visiting the Pennsylvania Dutch country and the Amish will teach the children about a new culture, and how it is important to respect every culture in our great country. They will see first-hand their way of life, and learn important lessons about how the amenities of our modern day affect our own lifestyle. Learning that “not everyone is the same” in terms of beliefs and lifestyle will allow them to compare their way of life to that of another type of living.

Have you ever been to Hershey Park? I am certain that you can smell the chocolate as soon as you see the Hershey Kiss lights upon entering this extravaganza. It is such a unique amusement park, because it is not only filled with thrilling rides, but offers lessons in math and science at the chocolate factory. The students enjoy learning about the real-world experience of making chocolate – the same popular chocolate they see each time they visit their local grocery store. Touring the factory will give the student’s much insight as to how the chocolate is made from the very start of the process to the end. I have to say, I love thrilling rides, but touring the chocolate factory was the highlight of the trip for me.

When the students visit Gettysburg, they will learn about the Civil War of our country and the most intense battle of this war between the Union and Confederate soldiers. This future-changing battle resulted in 50,000 casualties and was a turning point in the Union’s favor. Learning about our history as a county in the mid-1800’s will shed light on what our country went through to become one again. The Battle Ground tour is about two hours, but your students will be so enthralled that they certainly will not notice. It is a great tour and is very in-depth about the different points of interest in this most important battle.

The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum is an amazing experience for kids as they learn about the “New Birth of Freedom” in the feature film and have an educational tour of our past. Personally, I really, really dig the Cyclorama! If you have never been to a Cyclorama, you will probably enjoy it more than the students! It is like you are standing right there watching the battle but in panorama-picture form. That is my absolute favorite, and every time I go, I notice something new.

There is a relatively new educational approach known as STEAM, which incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. This field trip to the Pennsylvania Dutch country and Gettysburg certainly meets all of those areas of learning mixed in with a lot of fun!

Beth Hedrick has been educating students for 22 years. She teaches in a rural southwest Virginia community that values the education of every student. She is the mother of two boys, Aaron and Landon, and is married to Todd.

She is an advocate for Autism Awareness, as her son Landon has Asperger’s Syndrome. She has served on her community and school system’s autism support team. Beth enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her Basset Hound, Lenny. She also likes to read, write, blog, and travel in the summer months. 

Tech Alternatives to Traditional Homework

By Ryan Crawley

Most teachers tend to give homework to their students like their life depended on it. Students slipping out of the classroom at the end of the day without homework just is not allowed. Why do teachers do this? Why do they overload their students with busy work disguised as essential homework? It’s because this has always been done in education. It’s because some educators look at other teachers that give very little homework as not doing their job. It’s because educators encouraging students to think outside the box is viewed as excellent teaching, but a teacher going against the norm is frowned upon.

I’ll admit it. I am an educator, and I do not assign much homework. (I’ll wait patiently until the booing ends from other teachers.) I only assign it when it is essential for students that are failing to grasp certain concepts. I grade way too many papers already, so why would I want to grade more? I also hand them certain books they must read for independent reading time at home. The homework standard endorsed by the National Education Association and the National Parent-Teacher Association is the so-called "10-minute rule". (Much different than the ten-second rule that is common when food falls on the floor.)

They say the appropriate amount is ten minutes per grade level per night. This means 10 minutes of homework for first-grade students, 20 minutes for the second grade, and all the way up to 120 minutes per night for seniors in high school. The NEA and the National PTA does not recommend homework for kindergarten. My belief is that more than an hour of homework a night, even for high school students, is a bit of an overkill. After all, Finland schools are some of the very best in the world, and they have little if any homework every night.

There are alternatives to assigning the regular homework every night. In doing so, it will stress out the students and their parents much less. Teachers give students worksheets for homework almost every night. Students are used to this. This is why they groan when they get these sort of homework assignments. It is time to change it all up! Let’s look at alternatives to traditional homework using only technology.

Email Homework
Every teacher has a school email address. We have them for communication purposes. So let’s have the students email us as their alternative homework. If the students don’t have an email address, their parents sure do. Ask them to send a link to a website that goes along with what was discussed in class. This alternative to homework can be used for any subject area. Then you can carry it over, and the students can present their website to the class the next day.

Google Docs
In case you have not jumped on the EdTech bandwagon, Google Docs is a free Web-based application in which documents, presentations, and spreadsheets can be created, edited, and stored automatically online. Files can be accessed from any computer the world, all you have do is grant your students access.

How simple would it be to ask students to create a presentation using Google Docs on what they learned in certain chapters in any content area? This could be their entire homework for the week. No need to overload them. Then on Friday, all the students can display their presentations.

Google Docs could be used for all homework assignments. There would be no need to hand out worksheets for homework any longer. Save all those millions and millions of trees from being cut down and used as paper just for your homework assignments! The environment will thank you!

Use Websites for Homework
Ask students to spend ten minutes a night on certain websites like Spelling City for spelling words or Grammar Gorilla for parts of speech. Homework is supposed to be used to strengthen skills. If a student does not do well on the quiz at the end of the week in these subject areas after you asked them to spend time at home on these sites, it will be pretty obvious they did not follow your directions. However, they are only hurting themselves! Talk to them one-on-one after the poor quiz performance and lay on the teacher guilt trip.

Tech Math Homework
I know some teachers are reading this right now and saying all of these ideas are great, but math homework has to be completed through math worksheets. I say, “Welcome to the Internet!” There are numerous free sites that students can visit to practice all the different math concepts. Funbrain is a perfect one for younger learners. Math Blaster incorporates video games along with learning math. Hooda Math is another great one that uses games to learn math skills. There are literally hundreds of sites that can be used to practice mathematics.

So, put those worksheets that you accumulated throughout the years in the back of the room for students that are just sitting there doing nothing in class. That way they still have a purpose!


Ryan Crawley is a writer/educator from Illinois. Born into a family of eleven, he spent most of his childhood watching old reruns of Three's Company and Happy Days. He has his Masters in Reading and Literacy, and is a certified Reading Specialist. He spends his free time writing, working out, and hanging with his two dogs Flair and Smoosh Face. 

5 Things Your Middle Schoolers Need To Hear From You

By Diana Eastman

If we are being totally honest, middle school can be rough. It is such a transitional time, where students are balancing friendships, handling their hormones and seeking independence. Middle school students can be awkward and hard to understand sometimes, but at the end of the day, they are kids who still need guidance and support from the caring adults around them.

As their teacher, they may take a comment you make about them and hold onto it for a lifetime. The things you say to a middle school student can become the way they start internally talking about themselves. They are receiving so many mixed messages from friends, the media, and their parents, that it can be difficult to know what is true. As a significant role model in their lives, these are the 5 things your middle schoolers need to hear from you to be successful.

You Have Not Peaked- So many middle schoolers spend their days comparing themselves to others. They always find someone who is prettier, stronger, faster, smarter, or more popular than they are and obsess about being like that person. They are convinced that they’ll never measure up, and that who they are now is who they will always be. It’s important to remind them that they have so much growing to do and that this is not it for them. They have so much more life ahead, and they can’t spend time wishing they were someone else. Remind them that they are exactly who they are supposed to be at this moment in time and that they should be excited for the growth and improvements that are yet to come.

Think Before You Tweet
Or text. Or Snap. Or Comment. Or Share. Social media, when used correctly, is a great tool to share life’s moments and connect with the world. However, when abused by emotional, hormonal, reckless teenagers with not-yet-fully-developed brains, it can have lasting consequences. Teach your students how fast pictures and comments can be shared, and share stories about how social media played a part in ruining relationships and lives. Explain your expectations of how your students should use social media and teach them to be safe online.

Think Carefully About Your Friends
As a middle school student, friends are everything. In this fragile stage of life, what their friends say and do is of top priority for most pre-teens. Acknowledge the importance of a solid group of friends, but remind them to be leaders, not followers. Remind them that when it comes to friends, quality is way more important than quantity. Although middle school is the definition of a popularity contest, hearing from a trusted teacher that they don’t have to sacrifice their morals or values just to be “cool” could save a student a lifetime of heartbreak.

It’s Ok Not To Be Ok
Being a middle school student can be an emotional rollercoaster. Sometimes they aren’t even sure why they are so angry or sad, and have a hard time sorting out their feelings and communicating them effectively. Teachers should keep an eye out for students who seem unmotivated, angry, depressed or lonely. Taking the time to let these students know you see them and are worried about their well-being can go a long way. Remind them that it’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or misunderstood, but that you are someone that they can go to with their problems, judgment-free.

Lose The Labels
So many 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students consume themselves with labels. It is a way for them to process where they fit in within their peer groups and helps establish their identity. Students want so badly to fit in, so they work hard to seek out groups that make them feel validated. Some get involved in sports and find their confidence in their abilities on the field. Others work tirelessly to maintain a 4.0 GPA to showcase their strengths in academics. Students need to hear that these labels are not indicative of their worth. They are worthy of love and appreciation because of who they are, not because of what they can do. They could break a leg and be off the team, then what? Would they see themselves as worthless since they could no longer play? Help them see that it is not the labels they put on themselves and others that define them, but instead it is their character and the way they treat other people.

Middle school students receive a lot of advice and information from a wide range of outside sources. They take these messages, do their best to sort through them with limited experience to work with, and use them to help navigate their way through the crazy middle school years. As their teacher, it is vital that the messages they receive from you are positive, empowering, supportive, honest and productive. How you speak to them and what you say to them will become a part of their inner dialogue. Help them talk nicely to themselves by speaking nicely to and about them. They want so badly to hear the truth from the people they look up to the most. And by reminding them of their potential and value,  and by saying the things they need to hear, you will absolutely change the course of their lives.

Technology in Education

By Ryan Crawley

Educators are changing up the way that they are teaching. The image of a teacher standing in front of the classroom and lecturing while students sit quietly at their seat taking notes is a thing of the past. Technology in the classroom is changing teaching styles across the world. At the same time, it is enabling the students to learn skills that they need for gaining a 21st-century education.
 
A number of schools now have a 1:1 technology initiative in their district. Schools have been making expensive upgrades in an effort to have more high-tech classrooms. According to EdSurge, 83 percent of schools now have adequate wifi to support 1:1 learning environments (a computer device for every student). Back in 2013, only 25 percent of all schools could make that claim. With this huge leap, we can’t be too far away from having digital textbooks replace those hardcover antiques that litter all classrooms across the world.
 
If you are a teacher that is not on board with the 'technology in the classroom' movement yet, then you are not only preventing yourself from learning new skills, but you are not preparing your students adequately. It can be a bit scary entering the unknown, so find a tech mentor somewhere in your school to educate you on the basics. Listed below are some easy ways to integrate technology with all grade levels and content areas.

PowerPoint Presentations
There are other presentation programs that will do just fine (Google Slides, Keynote, etc…) besides Powerpoint. Presentation slides can simplify subjects to just the most important information. Teachers and their students can create these presentations for the class on any subject area. Teaching straight out of the textbook is the surefire way to bore your students and lose your audience.

Once you start building all your presentation files to incorporate the content you cover during the school year; you can use them again and again. The subjects of History and Science are tailor-made for slide presentations that can narrow down the parts that you would like the students to memorize. With these presentations, collaborative learning and discussions can take the place of a teacher lecturing.

College courses always make the students present on different topics, so might as well start them early and provide them with the knowledge needed to enliven their presentations with technology. The days of standing in front of the class with posters and pictures are long gone.

Video Clips
Today’s students have shorter attention spans than ever. But you can’t just blame the children; even adults have trouble concentrating for long periods of time. However, incorporating technology into your teaching style is a sure way to have them pay close attention.

All students learn a bit differently. Interesting video clips can ensure the students’ understanding of a subject better than just out of the textbook alone. Any teacher that teaches straight out of the textbook is going to lose their students nowadays. Videos are supplemental material that needs to be used in the classroom for several reasons.
 
Almost every classroom now has a projector and a screen of some sort. Finding video clips that go along with your lesson has never been easier. There is no longer a need to go hunting for videos at the library. Do a quick internet search for videos on your topic and you will be amazed at some of the quality educational videos that are available for free.

Smartboard
Most classrooms today are equipped with a Smartboard or something similar. Basically, in case you are not familiar with Smartboards, they are interactive whiteboards. The screen is a touch screen and connected to the computer on your desk. In addition, you can write on the screen, just like a normal whiteboard. There are available websites where interactive lessons are already created and separated by grade level and subject area.

Anything that you find on the internet can be projected on the interactive whiteboard for the whole class. You are no longer attached to your desk when displaying your computer screen. You can be up and teaching in front of the class, instead of having to stay within a couple feet of your desk. The students can be called upon to complete lessons on the board as well. They love having the opportunity to get out of their seat and use the Smartboard in front of the class.

Podcasts
Podcasting is sort of a new technology that has exploded over the last few years. It’s basically recorded audio shows or lessons. It is possible to find a podcast online about what you are currently teaching in the classroom. There are millions of downloadable podcasts out there. You may have to listen to a few before you find the best suitable one for your students.

The real fun is having your students make their own podcasts on what they are learning in class. Or even an audio class diary for students that are absent or just as a review of what has been covered. These are simple things to do, and will make the students use their summarization skills in completing these projects.

iMovie
The iMovie application, or something similar, can give the teacher and the students the ability to make videographies, documentaries, student films, and amazing presentations. By inserting pictures into your movie, you can then add in your own dialogue, special effects, credits, and many other interesting things.

An easy way to begin using iMovie in the classroom is having the students each pick out an important historical figure. They then do all the research on this person, create an outline using a document program on your devices, and end the assignment with their own iMovie documentary on their important figure in history. Displaying each of these documentaries in the class will educate the students, and enable them to see what their classmates can do with iMovie, also.


Ryan Crawley is a writer/educator from Illinois. Born into a family of eleven, he spent most of his childhood watching old reruns of Three's Company and Happy Days. He has his Masters in Reading and Literacy, and is a certified Reading Specialist. He spends his free time writing, working out, and hanging with his two dogs Flair and Smoosh Face. 

7 Awesome Fundraising Ideas To Pay For An Epic Class Trip

By Diana Eastman

All across America, parents and teachers sigh collectively when fundraising time comes around. They know it means buying too much chocolate, or rolls and rolls of wrapping paper. Or they’ll end up pressuring people in the office to pay for their kid to run laps around the track. Although these traditional fundraising methods do bring in necessary money to fund “extras” for the students, they’re not always the most exciting or innovative methods. If your class is trying to raise funds for the most epic trip in school history consider some of these fun ideas that everyone can get excited about.

Crowdfunding Websites Brings In Big Bucks
The number one way to raise money for anything is by creating a Crowdfunding campaign for your next big adventure. This easy to set up, and easy to share, online tool allows you to explain where you’re going, why you’re going, and what you’ll do when you are there. It allows people to easily make monetary donations of all sizes and tracks the amount donated so everyone can keep track of the progress. The website does take a small percentage in return for hosting, but it’s a proven way to share your mission and get the donations rolling in.

In conjunction with a successful crowdfunding campaign, schools can host a variety of events to connect with the community and raise money for their cause. From hosting a spa day to running errands for people of the community, students of all grade levels will be able to participate in the fundraising and take ownership of the process. Here are some of the most effective ideas:

Hold A Used Book Sale
A few weeks before the sale, have students and teachers bring in their gently used books. Send out invitations to parents and members of the community and have them come and peruse your collection of literature.

Get Artsy
Get together with the art department and enlist the help of the school’s most passionate artists. Create a gallery for parents, teachers, and students to browse through. Then raise donations by auctioning off some of the unique art.

Luggage Tag Fundraiser
Design a few creative luggage tags (or go the easy way and order them from a wholesaler). Give traveling students and teachers the option to buy these original luggage tags to attach to their bags when they travel. The more creative and personal the designs, the more people will just have to have them on their bags.

A Cup of Joe To Make Some Dough
Partnering with a local coffee shop may be the caffeinated jolt your fundraiser needs. Get whole bags of coffee from a wholesaler (maybe one connected to the place you will be traveling?) Then sell them at school or out in the community. Make coffee in the mornings and ask for small donations. The car drop-off line might be a good place to set up shop!

Offer A Service
Schedule a car wash, offer to walk dogs in the community, or run errands for busy moms or seniors who have trouble getting it all done. Advertise what your students are willing to do and make it clear that they’re working hard for an unforgettable class trip.

Get Creative
Brainstorm some ideas with students and faculty about events that would be easy and inexpensive to put together, and that would fit with the location/theme of the trip. Some creative fundraising ideas include:

• Teach a class- Is Mr. Jenkins the PE teacher an undercover chef? Does Mrs. Harrison have a black belt in karate? Investigate the unique skills that members of the faculty have and encourage them to lead a class for the community. Ask for a small donation when signing up, and viola! You’ve bettered the community and raised money for your trip.

• Get Cookin’- If you make food, the donations will come rolling in.  Host a chili cook-off, bake sale, or backyard BBQ to bring the school and community together while filling stomachs and donation jars.

• Torture The Teachers- although not always a favorite amongst the teachers, any campaign that lets students let loose on teachers will bring in the money. Sell strips of duct tape and let students tape the teacher of their choice to a wall. Set a fundraising goal and when it’s met, let students participate in a pie-throwing contest where teachers and staff members are the targets. Give kids a break by putting their teacher “in jail” for a period as a reward for raising the most money. While the teacher is “locked up,” they can play board games in class, hang out in the gym or play outside.

If you truly want to have an epic class trip, you have to get the students involved. There needs to be some friendly competition and excitement to make them feel like they are part of the process. Instead of worrying that there is a lot of money to raise, think about it as an extended opportunity for students to get excited about the trip. The anticipation will make the actual trip that much sweeter, and the collective effort to raise the money will bring teachers, parents, students, and the community together.

Learning Curve: One Teacher's Inspirational Story

By Diana Eastman

It was my very first year teaching, and I was a nervous wreck. Fresh out of college, I had my diploma, my brand-spankin' new ID badge and a plan to change the world. I was excited about working in a Title I school and (thought) I was prepared for the challenges that came with it. What would the students think about a young, white teacher coming into their class? What would the veteran teachers think of this young, innovative teacher with exactly 0 years experience? As scared as I was, I pushed through my apprehension and walked into class that first day like. a. boss.

I fell in love with the conscious discipline teaching strategy and implemented it into my class from day one. I quickly created a class of eager learners who felt appreciated, loved, and important. Although each student had his/her unique struggles and weaknesses, we created a solid family environment based on trust, consistency, and love.

But although my students undoubtedly felt important, empowered and loved, nothing could make up for my lack of experience in the art of teaching. As instructed, we focused solely on the importance of the standardized tests, and I worked diligently to ensure everyone was prepared for the big day. As the testing season rolled around, I hid my nervousness and apprehension in silly songs, educational raps, and whole brain learning techniques that I was sure would help them ace the test. When the big day came, I left a note on each of their desks reminding them that they were ready for this.

Weeks went by as we impatiently waited for the results. And then they came in, and my heart sank. I felt like I was going to throw up. 7 of my students failed. 7. That was half of my class. Before I could pack up my things and run away forever, my principal called me into her office. I couldn’t help but bawl my eyes out and assure her over and over that if she needed to fire me, I totally understood. Through the tears (both hers and mine) she assured me that I was not out of a job and that I had something special that these kids needed. Were the scores great? No. Was she sure I was the right person for the job? Absolutely.

I was sick to my stomach for days. How could this happen? How could I have let them down? They needed me, they trusted me, and I felt like I had failed them. Then, an idea hit me. I’d never been the kind to cower away from a problem or play the victim. I may have fallen short, but I had an opportunity to fix it. I sat down at my desk with the list of seven children who failed. I took a deep breath and called their parents. With each ring, I wanted to hang up, but I gripped the phone and waited for the “Hello?”

I explained, through tears, to each parent how responsible I felt and how I had to make it right. They tried to make me feel better by saying I was a first-year teacher or that I did my best, but for me, that wasn’t enough. I asked each parent if I could tutor their child over the summer, for free, so they would be better prepared to take the make-up test. Five out of the seven took me up on my offer, and for the first time, I could breathe.

Throughout the summer I drove to houses, apartments and public parks to sit with these eager learners and help them understand. They cherished the special one-on-one attention and were thankful for the individualized learning plan I created for each of them. I bonded with them over the summer and got to know them on a deeper level. One was the oldest of 6 kids and as an eight-year-old was already responsible for watching over the little ones. One had just lost his mother to cancer; another had to reschedule our visits so he could visit his father and brother in jail. These were good kids, smart kids, enthusiastic kids, who just needed someone to put a little extra effort into them.

I called each of them the night before their test and told them how proud I was of them. I encouraged them to take their time, read slowly, and remember the techniques and tools we had practiced. And then I waited. This second round of waiting was more excruciating than the first. I had no Plan C. I had no idea what I would do if they all failed. I would be embarrassed and defeated, and I couldn’t let myself think about it for too long.

Weeks later, driving home, my phone rang. It was an unidentified number, and usually, I don’t pick up. But I did this time. It was the sweet voice of one of my students, calling to tell me she had passed. I could hear the smile in her voice and her mother’s laughter in the background. I had to pull over; I could not drive through my tears.

One by one, each student called to share the good news. All of them had passed. They thanked me over and over, but I reminded them that THEY were the ones who accepted the help, stayed consistent, and worked hard. We made a good team, but they put in the effort, and they should feel so proud of themselves.

Things got better each year after that. I learned that teaching the standards and passing the test is important, but not as important as the bonds we create and the relationships we form with our students. I learned to dig deep into each student to find out more about who they are as a person so I can better serve them as a student.

As teachers, it is our job to see the strengths and unique characteristics of every student in our class and to see them as more than just data and a test score. We must continue to do more than is expected to reach all of our students, to make them feel capable, valuable and confident. If I had to do it all over again, I would not change a thing.

Our kids are more than just test scores. And I’d go through the humiliation, defeat, and heartbreak of half of my class failing again in a second if it meant finding a way to make students see their full potential.