(5) Then – My students will all love each other and I will leave every day knowing they love me.
Now – Will the kids leave every day knowing I love them? Yes. But will they always love me? I’m afraid not. And I’m okay with that.
(4) Then – I don’t need to give grades. Rubrics are the best.
Now – Ain’t nobody got time for that. Rubrics are great for big projects and assessments. But for the every day math worksheet? Sometimes a 5 out of 5 or a checkmark {or the recycling bin} is all I can manage.
(3) Then – I will spend at least an hour on each subject and I will set a timer so I don’t run over.
Now – Oy. Scheduling is the bane of my existence. I barely have time for 50 minutes per subject. And who has time to set a timer?! And what if I remember to set one and the timer goes off and I’m not finished? AH! An hour-ish and miniiiii lessons will have to do.
(2) Then – I will differentiate every lesson I teach to make sure I reach every student.
Now – I will make sure my lesson is heard/seen/experienced by as many students as possible. I will make it as engaging as possible, and when I see fit, I will differentiate. Right there. On the spot. But not always before the lesson or on the weekends. Because there are only 24 hours in a day people.
(1) Then – I will return all tests, papers, and work within three days of completion and with thorough feedback.
Now – HA! Haahahhaha! HA!
