[Homer]

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I am currently is college trying to become a history teacher, during my last session with my advisor he told me something that was pretty confusing. He said something along the lines of 'you have to teach only to the upper portion and middle portion of your class, don't worry yourself about the bottom section of kids, there is nothing you can do. Do that and you will be able to get by as a teacher.'

Ok, so anyone here who teaches, can you tell me if this is how it really is? When I get a job will I have to just give up on a section on my class? This seems like giving up or am I just being naive?

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In a sense he is correct, though 'getting by' as a teacher is not as simple as following that one little piece of advice. When I lecture, I move at a fast pace, trying to bring the kids up to my level rather than teaching down to them. I am bothered by teachers that spoon-feed kids and don't have them strugging at all or doing any thinking. Anyway, obviously those that fall behind need to make arrangements to catch up on their own time. That doesn't mean you shouldn't worry about the bottom section of kids, though. After I'm done doing my thing and they are practicing, I'll work with the slower kids one-on-one. Plus, you can help set them up with after-school programs, tutors, whatever. I dunno -- I don't have any formal training, so I just go by common sense, which surprisingly a lot of teachers seem to lack.

-- Homer