Re: Question for Teachers
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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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Unfortunately, this is good advice. I've been teaching for 3.5 years, albeit at a private school, and this is the best way to teach overall.
Look at it this way: the top third of the class will always learn and work for you because that is just what the top third of any class is going to do. The bottom third will always slack off because that is what the bottom third is going to do. But, the battle is won and lost over the middle third of any class. If you can inspire the middle third to do well and possible move into the top third's territory, then you may get a kind of sea change where some of the bottom third move into the middle third's vacated position. If you can do this, you've done an excellent job.
This is just my opinion, and I am by no measure a master teacher. But, I have seen this strategy work for several years. It sounds like you have a good advisor.
Stay idealistic in your heart, but also be practical with what you are able to do for kids who you see for only a few hours a week.
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