…I asked the students to spend one minute writing what they learned in class. It was a pretty loose writing class, complete with doughnuts and discussion and sharing of work of which the students are justifiably proud.
It’s been a semester, a challenging one just like all the others during this damnable pandemic. Fortunately, I have developed coping skills that worked right up until two weeks ago, when a student we’ll call Melvin broke me (sent me over the edge, made me abandon all hope, and learning how to fly and shoot fire from my fingers).
Give me some credit. I usually don’t make it so deep into the semester without being broken in some significant way. But at least at the end of this semester, I won’t spend four days sleeping. See? Skills.
So. Take a deep breath and tell me: What have you learned this semester…or week? Submit your no-more-than-three-sentence answer below.
I have tended to tell my clients that I am willing to work as hard as they are. But no harder. Some things I cannot do for them but can teach them how.
Oh, I’m so sorry. I hope the lessons learned are at least helpful in the future. As for Melvin, teaching is often about setting boundaries and making sure students take agency for their own education. When a student doesn’t do that (and relies too much on others for getting through), it’s on those others to know when to step back and when the call for aid needs answering. I am surrounded by capable students and a handful who haven’t matured yet to the point where they will treat their education as their own. Melvin falls in the last group. If you’re a helping kind of person, it’s extremely difficult (but important) to step back and let the student figure some things out. Melvin broke me. That means I spent far too much time trying to walk him through and finally had to say, “This is yours.”
This is so well put and helps me understand your angst this semester. Isn't life full of lessons about boundaries? In a newsletter I get, the following was offered on this topic. It's about separating "to-do lists" into three parts. (I'm addicted to making these lists.) 1. Things you have to do. 2. Things you want to do. 3. Things other people want you to do. That's all. I'm thinking of more things to add to this list, like "Things I vow never to do again." LOL
Ah, got you. Melvin was a painfully living reminder of the risks of the nurturing side of teaching. I hope Melvin gains from the experience. And I pat your hand from afar.
As for fruits of the learning, so far I can't perceive any direction aside from Just Give Up. Which doesn't seem helpful.
Forgiveness heals the wounds that time cannot.
Oh, amen.
Dammit Melvin! Do better!
I re-learned stress slows the ability to think.
Absolutely.
Don’t plant annuals until the lilacs are in full bloom.
True? I had no idea. Now I have learned something new!
I have tended to tell my clients that I am willing to work as hard as they are. But no harder. Some things I cannot do for them but can teach them how.
That's a good rule of thumb for teachers of college students, as well.
Not happy things, so I'll keep them mum. I'm very curious about Melvin.
Oh, I’m so sorry. I hope the lessons learned are at least helpful in the future. As for Melvin, teaching is often about setting boundaries and making sure students take agency for their own education. When a student doesn’t do that (and relies too much on others for getting through), it’s on those others to know when to step back and when the call for aid needs answering. I am surrounded by capable students and a handful who haven’t matured yet to the point where they will treat their education as their own. Melvin falls in the last group. If you’re a helping kind of person, it’s extremely difficult (but important) to step back and let the student figure some things out. Melvin broke me. That means I spent far too much time trying to walk him through and finally had to say, “This is yours.”
This is so well put and helps me understand your angst this semester. Isn't life full of lessons about boundaries? In a newsletter I get, the following was offered on this topic. It's about separating "to-do lists" into three parts. (I'm addicted to making these lists.) 1. Things you have to do. 2. Things you want to do. 3. Things other people want you to do. That's all. I'm thinking of more things to add to this list, like "Things I vow never to do again." LOL
Ah, got you. Melvin was a painfully living reminder of the risks of the nurturing side of teaching. I hope Melvin gains from the experience. And I pat your hand from afar.
As for fruits of the learning, so far I can't perceive any direction aside from Just Give Up. Which doesn't seem helpful.
Your dysfunctional friends at Super Probably Relevant Content stand with you.
:)
Focused attention with a calm heart indicates love.
That’s beautiful.
Sometimes you can teach an old dog new tricks
I take hope from that.