More than one way for students to grow

The last time I wrote, it was the beginning of the year and enthusiasm was permeating all corners of the school. I am happy to report that half a year into my first year of teaching the staff is still as energized and helpful as always, not to mention the students. It seems their energy knows no bound (those of you who are parents cannot be surprised).

I find myself slowly working toward the teacher I want to be. I have made significant progress in my classroom by quickly figuring out what works and what does not. One major observation so far: The more transparent and accessible I make my instruction, the more students engage with and absorb the material. It turns out that being explicit in expectations, as well as holding seventh-graders accountable, go a long way in the classroom.

I think many of us have preconceived notions when approaching something new, especially if it relates to math. We’re half a year in and I still find my greatest challenge in the classroom to be students’ self-confidence. It is never classroom management or discipline issues that keeps me up at night. Often it is students who, at the age of 12, have given up on themselves in mathematics. It is my mission to help them rebuild that confidence and to support them in expanding their understanding of math. I hope they may learn it as more than a simple means to an end. Math truly can be as much a subject of study as modern history or the science behind internal combustion engines.

Learning about my students and seeing their passion for life is what I look forward to every morning. Most recently, I had the wonderful experience of getting to see where those students learn their passions. Parent-teacher conferences provided a snapshot of the pulse of our community. I got to meet a strong majority of my students’ parents and look forward to meeting the rest.

The support that our students have in their lives was wonderful to experience. Sometimes it was a matter of a parent or grandparent holding a student’s feet to the fire, asking hard questions. Other times, I got to watch a student’s smile as the important people in their lives became elated at a report card or comment from a teacher.

Nothing, however, compared to how much fun it was for me to observe students modeling much of what they have learned over the beginning of their seventh-grade year.

As we move ahead, the focus in Wasilla Middle School classrooms continues to be guiding students through a process of learning.

Teachers often hope that students comprehend and progress through curriculum; however, equally as important is that we strive to support our students to develop into the best people they can be. It’s a pleasure to work with our community and watch our students grow.

As we work together, like at parent/teacher conferences, I have faith in the people that our students are becoming.

Jeffrey D. Blackburn teaches seventh-grade math at Wasilla Middle School.