WILL YOU WORK WITH ME AGAIN NEXT WEEK

Today, I had to leave a phenomenal event that highlighted the success of the Urban League to tutor 1 student at Bond Hill. I truly felt a bit of conflict.

1. Envision doesn't have the funds to attend an event for 1 hour.....then leave
2. That child will be okay for one day of me not attending.  That student will be okay.  It's just one day.

Now it is 12:40pm (tutoring @ 1pm) and I just couldn't do it.  I made a commitment to these children and if I have to sit there and stare at the walls for an hour, they will know my commitment.

I showed up at 1pm and the sweetie was excited to see me. 

One day does make a difference.  She was successful in her assignment that we worked on and wanted to make sure that I would be there next week.

I wouldn't miss it.  We all make choices.  It's so easy to forget how crucial our presence is when it comes to our youth.  Events.....galas.....networking parties.

Watching one student grow..............

Great Choice.

"I DON'T WANT TO DO IT!!!!"

If that wasn't the mantra the other day, then I don't know what was.  LORD!LORD!LORD!Why do I do what I do? 

It was time to reassess how much my students had gained in knowledge of their fact fluency.  4 "EASY" 3 minute tests.  Addition........Subtraction..........Multiplication.........Division.  Everything being single digit. 

One would THINK that this would be a breeze.  The students get to show off how far they had advanced; I can sit back and reap the personal satisfaction of yet another amazing year of academic achievement. 

HUH!!! HA!!! I should have stayed home.


Apparently Spring was in the air and the only thing the students wanted to be fluent about is "I DON'T WANT TO DO IT".  Are you kidding me?

I try......."this is easy. you will be a huge success"
The Refrain, "I DON'T WANT TO DO IT"
I try......."if you do well, this is the last time you will have to do this for me and we can move on to bigger and better things"
Response, "I already did it" and The Refrain, "I DON'T WANT TO DO IT"
I try...."we will have a big celebration for your achievement when you are finished"
Answered by "I'm tired. I don't have a pencil" and........The Refrain, "I DON'T WANT TO DO IT"

At this point, I am running out of patience.  What do they mean "I don't want to do it".  There are a lot of things I don't want to do, but have to do.......Like argue with 10 year olds about the benefit of knowing 5 times 8.........or putting $3.55/gallon gas in my car in 2degrees temperature.............or go to work after Superbowl Sunday.  But I do it.

I think, why am I trying to convince these students to take 4 easy freakin' tests????
Then I realize, that it's not really about them taking the tests, but that I am really trying to convince them the importance of not only the work they are doing, but in doing what you have to (to the best of your ability).....even if you don't want to.

The tug of war isn't about math, but about 'fighting the fight'.  Our youth not only have to have the tools to fight the fight, but the "fight" in them to engage even when they don't "want to". 

In the end, after spending more time reas oning with the students, the tests were taken and all did very well.  HALLELUAH!!!

When they were on their way home, and giving me my hugs (as though they hadn't just given me grief only an hour ago..........how quickly we forget), one students asked,

"Hey, Ms. Garner.......I don't want tutoring to end.  Can it keep going?"

I gladly said, "I WANT TO !!"

PREPPING FOR THE FUTURE

Last Saturday, I had a surreal experience in teaching/administration. In one room, from 10am -2pm, Envision Children was running it’s first power Saturday of the school year. They were 2nd – 6th grade. They were working on states of matter with fun experiments. They were weighing expanded balloons ; making “sludge” to teach density; answering math word problems on the chalkboard. They were having a blast.
Right next door, Envision Learning Center was administering a practice ACT test. There were 9th – 12th graders.
I had to travel between both rooms for various reasons. Boy……………. The temperament and attitude was dynamically different. One room was lively and fun and the air was comfortable and cool. In the other room, it was dismal, serious, hot, muggy and dare I say……..smelled a bit.
What struck me as interesting is how if Envision does its job correctly, in a few years when it is time for my power Saturday students to take their ACT, it will not only be easy, but that room too will be lively and fun with comfortable and cool air.
When will the day come when education is exciting for all age groups. The day when our youth are so well educated that the stress of taking tests is non-existent and NOT BECAUSE they have been taught the test, but because their education is intrinsic and they see the “real life” value of what they are learning. I am glad that “real life learning” is our mission.