Why do I want an “A”…
I have been asking myself this question a lot lately, and have been trying to find articles/research to read on the importance of an “A”. I have not been able to find any to read (only “how to”), so I guess this is a question I have to answer myself. For someone who has never been successful in school, in the traditional sense, getting an “A” is like reaching the top of Mt. Everest. I have never enjoyed learning so much in my life, and when I enjoy something, I want to be the best that I can in whatever it is. I have found that each professor I have worked with really wants their students to be successful. Learning in that kind of environment has limited the anxiety that has always come along with success in school. I would like to continue my higher education experience down the road, after being in the classroom. Being successful at this level helps make it possible to be able to continue on. Getting an “A” is about pushing myself to be the best I can be. I understand success can be measured in many ways. Someone may be very successful in the traditional sense, but fail in real life application of their knowledge. I feel I have been successful in the “non traditional sense” or application of my knowledge in the real world, and now it is time to be successful in the traditional sense. I feel that the knowledge, coupled with genuine care and concern, of my professors in undergraduate doesnt’ even come close to graduate school. I may have had a great experience with a couple of my undergraduate professor’s, but I have had great experiences with all my professors in graduate school. I think that may be because of my interest in succeeding in school, but also this program is about educating and education is the passion of my professors. I feel that same passion and want to show them to the best of my ability that I am passionate about education.
I don’t think that I completely answered this question today, or can answer it in one sitting. But it is a start, and something I will continue to think a lot about.
April 15, 2008 at 9:45 am
Greg, I applaud your attitude of wanting to do the best possible – “to be the best that I can be” to quote you. Academic assessment is only one indicator of success – and an important one to most. However, it is much more important to be “successful” in the practical application of what one learns in school – in your case, as a teaching in the classroom. Of course, getting As in a degree program is fantastic. But, don’t set yourself up for disappointment when As are not achieved, assuming that you did indeed do your best. There will be times when your best may not be represented with the label of “A” – and that’s okay. You will have your own students whose best will not receive the label of “A”. But, striving for one’s best (whatever label it might receive) is what is most important, I think. So, don’t stop striving. But perhaps don’t strive for an “A”. Strive for your best work and accept whatever label is applied to it. You’ll be much more content and satisfied, I think.
April 19, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I really liked what you had to say this week. I too am constantly flipping my papers to that last assessment/rubric page to see how I measured up. I’m not too interested in the comments part until I see that grade. It’s quite immature on my part and I recognize that my students will be doing the same thing. I know they will be much more interested in the letter or number grade I have assigned to them, rather than the formative feedback I will give regarding their hard work. If as a, ahem, 40 year old graduate student I’m still doing this, then I definitely need to approach this intelligently with my students. I applaud you in bringing it up, because ultimately it is doing your best that counts. Not being the star player or valedictorian, but just giving it your best try. The “A” is not the end all it appears to be. It is no guarantee for success, but trying to consistently work hard and try your best is success.
April 24, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Greg, I have to say that you are one of the most dedicated students I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I have enjoyed the two projects that we have collaborated together on. To me success is much more than knowledge, it is sharing of ones self, positive attitude, genuine care of others and their success and most importantly just being yourself. You are all that plus. You my friend are going to make one heck of a teacher. I just wish there were many more like you in the world of acadamia.
April 25, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Thanks Angela. It is always nice to get positive feedback. You too have been a pleasure to work with. I think we all really brought our strengths together every time we met and worked, and were commited to do our best. Those qualties will serve you well as a teacher too.
ps I really think you should look into recording books on tape fro a side job.
April 26, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Getting a “A” is only an evalutation from a different perspective (like a teacher). If you do not get an A, but can walk away with something that is what learning is all about! Trying to please all different types of teachers by trying your best does not always work. The grade is for college purposes, what you learn will stay with you. If you don’t get all the points on a project, you learn what you should have done and move on. I never got good grades until college and it was because I finally figured out what teachers want, I was able to do what the teacher wanted. I think our generation should focus on goals that students can generate and “grade” how they did and what they need to work on. A good teacher does not emphasize grades, our society does.
May 1, 2008 at 2:13 pm
The power point project was frustrating as we had to all be together to get it done but it really helped us to work on teamwork. Too many times assignments are supposed to bbe group and they end up being individual works thrown together at the last minute as a group. I know you enjoyed your group as I saw you working and having some laughs in the computer lab. I tooo was lucky to have good people to work with and that made the project fun. On a learning note I have already made a power point project for a Literacy class and presented it. I was proud of what I did and it was because of the technology class that this could happen.
May 1, 2008 at 2:36 pm
So you actually give a test on cheating? That’s a neat idea. I have to say that I always wonder if teachers know when a student is cheating or not. I am also blown away during my observations how many teachers do their own thing while the students are testing. On the computer, sending e-mails, grading papers…looking away from the students the whole time…it is interesting to see how oblivious teachers allow themselves to be…