Just in Time for Standardized Testing

Better late than never, right?

 As the school year winds down, you would think that my students would be revving up for Summer break. Yeah right! No can do! With our final MAP testing upon us, and standardized testing soon to arrive, we are still full force. I've learned a very important lesson through my experiences as a teacher about such things, though. What I have learned is that nothing can top inspiration and emotion. Since I am such an emotional person, it is hard for me to separate that emotion as a teacher. I am just as idealistic about the future generation as I was the day I started teaching. Don't get me wrong. Of course it's nice to see students' scores go up. However, I'm fully convinced that academic growth has to include personal growth. Some growth just isn't data driven. For instance, if I was only focused on "teaching to the test" as the teaching profession calls it, I would never have discovered that ___________ is an excellent artist, _____________ enjoys nonfiction World War II texts, ______________ is an unassumingly fantastic writer, ____________ can really think outside the box when creating 3D presentations, ____________ is a true leader, ______________ rallies a team of peers to discuss things beyond what is expected....Well, you get the idea, right?

So in honor of the "Better Late than Never" theme, I will become a facilitator of a student based blog. They have spent 9 months inspiring me. Now, it's time for them to inspire you.

...To be continued