Testing Teachers

This past Saturday, I completed two of my teacher certification tests.  The LAST and the ATSW.  Yes, yes, I probably should have taken them last year, but hey...I tend to procrastinate.  It has been a long time since I took a standardized test.  Returning to the world of scantrons and prescripted instructions read over a loud speaker was rather unsettling.  I had flashbacks to my first scantron test in kindergarten.  My teacher made such a big deal of describing how to properly fill in all of the little answer circles.  I distinctly remember falling behind on the test because I was more concerned with the art of filling the circles in just right than the test itself.  Sigh...who knows what impact those original misguided scores had on my academic career?  Anyhow, I was pretty taken aback my some of the general testing strategies implemented on Saturday.  Over 30 minutes were spent on instructing us on how to properly fill out the front page of the test, which was generally rather self explanatory.  Most of this time was however filled with reminders that the possession of a cell phone or anything with an on-off feature would result in the voiding of our scores.  If they were so incredibly concerned with that, why didn't they just do a quick inspection of bags upon entry?  I understand the need to reiterate the rule, but does it really require a 30 minute lecture?  I think not.

In addition to the never-ending lecture, I felt a lot of small details were overlooked.  There was no clock visible anywhere in the testing facility (thank goodness I had a watch, but many others didn't)  No announcements were made regarding the time, or time remaining in the test.  Even at the very end, they simply just announced "The test is now complete.  Immediately put down your pencils or your scores will be void"  I was on the last word of my essay when a disgruntled test administrator hissed at me to stop or she'd void my scores.  If this test is designed for teachers, then perhaps they should reconsider a few of their policies based on educational best practices.  Giving test takers updates about time and a short 1 minute warning before the end of the test are very simple ways to allow people to pace themselves and wrap up their work in a timely manner.  No hissing or horrible lectures required...

Mental Health Day Please.

To be frank, I've had an awful week.  One of the worst weeks of my life.  All I'd like to do is to crawl into bed and stay there for a month.  I managed to get in some quality wallowing time in this weekend, but I had to switch back to reality for today for class.  Sitting in my creaky, narrow seat, I found it really hard to focus and feel present in class.  It occurred to me "What will I do when students in my class are struggling with personal issues?  Will I even know when they are facing challenges or feeling completely overwhelmed?"  As a graduate student with a good relationship with my professor, I'd feel comfortable approaching my professor to explain a personal situation that was having an impact on my performance.  I don't think many adolescents would.  As a teacher, how am I supposed to know if the student with their head down on the desk has no interest in Hamlet, a bad case of insomnia, or perhaps something serious going on at home?

While teachers need to cautious about the relationships they form with students,  it is important for students to have an avenue for communication with their teachers.  I think this is one area in which journaling could be used in the classroom.  In terms of journaling, I intend on starting every class off with a short writing prompt related to our lesson.  If there is something keeping them from focusing on their writing prompt, I'd like students to know that they should write about it.  This way students feel they can share information with me, and also still be on task in terms of writing in class.  Of course if any serious issue were raised, I would refer them to the school counselor (and let them know this would be my policy beforehand)  This could also be used as a starting point for conversations about struggling with workload or issues that are holding them back academically.  If nothing else, sometimes just having an opportunity to express what is on your mind allows you the freedom to let go of it and focus on the task at hand.  I'd like my students to know that this is always an option, and that as their teacher, I am always willing to listen to them.

Writing in my ghournal

Lindsay: Whatcha doing?

Andy: Writing in my gournal. I write my thoughts in it every day.
Lindsay: Oh, you mean a journal?
Andy: Yeah, whatever. I guess I'm not all smart like you.

-Wet Hot American Summer

I'm feeling a bit rusty, but it's time to get back to my roots and actually use a journal.  Even though it is a class requirement, utilizing this blog and my in class journal is an oddly welcome activity.  Maybe this will be an important step in getting me back to the point where writing simply for my self is a natural, daily activity.  There is no greater method of catharsis than some good old fashioned journaling.  

I can't recall who encouraged me to start journaling, whether it be a teacher or therapist, but I owe them a big fat thank you.  It taught me to view writing through a larger scope.  It's not simply an academic endeavor, but something that can be deeply personal.  I've always found self expression easiest via writing, and in the past, my journal was always present when I needed that release.  I vividly remember furiously scribbling as fast as I could, distraught over some adolescent trauma.  Writing it all down would push me to tap into some deeper emotion or understanding of the situation.  Not just what happened, but why it happened, how it made me feel, and what this reaction said about me as a person.  When I would finish, nothing about the external situation would have changed, but I always felt sense of relief.  Relief that all of that emotion and turmoil had a place to be directed, a place to go.  Better on the page than brewing in me.

I understand that journaling in the classroom can be used in a variety of ways.  Students can practice writing, brainstorm, and develop a sense of their voice as a writer.  While I hope that my students benefit academically from writing in a journal, I hope a few of them find a home for their innermost thoughts and self realizations, as I did.