Pride Fuels Desire

We sat, barely knowing one another, and talked about setting goals for behavior.  We defined the behaviors we thought should be shown throughout the days, weeks, and months of a school year.  We discussed the act of setting realistic goals…attainable yet challenging.  We spoke to the fact that we are a group and each person has a responsibility to the group, and a responsibility to help reach the goal set forth.  We delineated a way to track the progress of our goal. 

For the past 13 years of teaching I have had my students set a goal for unsolicited compliments.  The goal itself has varied as has the way each class progressed through the year toward their goal.  Every class has met their goal, some surpassing it.

This year is not different.  The goal was set on the first day of school…90 unsolicited compliments in nine months.  I can remember us talking about how we would need 30 per trimester to reach our goal.  I look at our whiteboard where we keep track of our progress and see that to date we are at 30…right on track.

They get excited when they move the magnetic numbers, watching the total rise.  Not because they think they are going to get something in the end but because they know that it is because of their choices that progress is being made.  They are proud of themselves…and that pride fuels more desire to excel.

Trimester 2 is upon us and we are solidified in the routines, comfortable with each other, and open to exploring more each day.  The goal set forth is well underway, too; and with pride and commitment we know we can reach our destination and then some. 

As the teacher I find it fascinating, each and every year, to watch my students embark on such a worthwhile endeavor such as presenting their best side every day in order to attain a good feeling in the end.

Unprompted

Behaviors are a peculiar thing.  They often surprise us, too.  Kids can go from one extreme to another in a matter of minutes.  They are testing the boundaries, trying to get a handle on how to navigate the world we’ve placed before them.  They take cues from the adults in their lives, the celebrities that they watch, and each other. 

Being in a classroom presents an environment that allows for all three influences to play a role in daily behaviors.  It’s not uncommon to see children mimicking celebrities, talking about their family life and the rules & expectations they must follow at home, and some even pretending to be the teacher.

Day in and day out kids, like adults, have to make choices about their behaviors.  They often are in conflict of whether to follow their instincts, follow authority figure expectations, or to stay “cool” in the eyes of their peers.  Sometimes they make good choices and sometimes they do not.

This week, a group of students found themselves acting up a bit…not uncommon or even unexpected… par for the course if you will; the natural order of things.  I see these times as opportunities.  I see them as opportune times for me to teach…opportune times for kids to learn.  Upon completion of the “behavior lesson” something extraordinary happened.  Each of the students who were involved in the misbehavior approached me individually and sincerely apologized for their behavior.  Each apology was unprompted.  It took me pleasantly by surprise yet helped me to see that they cared about what they learned from their misbehavior…it wasn’t for naught. 

Behaviors often surprise us, don’t they?

The next day I was absent as I was taking care of my own children.  Naturally there was a substitute in the classroom.  As per usual the substitute left a note about the kids’ behavior.  She wrote a wonderful report.  Of course, that was my expectation for my students…I expect nothing less.  I went about my normal morning routine, which includes reading the students’ journal entries called ”Dear Mr. C”…a weekly journal entry that each student completes where they write to me personally and I respond.   I sat down at my desk and opened the first one from the day before; the day I was absent:

"Dear Mr. C,

Mrs. D is a really nice and gentle substitute. She makes everything fun just like you. She understands everything we say and helps us easily. I'm glad she's our substitute. She knows how to quiet us down when we get too loud right away, and she knows exactly when we are too loud. I hope to see her again."

I shared this with the sub who greatly appreciated it.  I also wrote back to the student…thanking them for being a great kid and student.

Behaviors often surprise us, don’t they?

Mr. Casten

Nov. 14, 2014

Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten