I teach standards that are not Common Core.
Yes, you read that right.
True, I live in a state that has adopted the Common Core standards. I have no choice in the matter, and I am not here to get into any debates on how awful or wonderful they are. I do my best to teach these standards while always keeping each student’s best interest in mind.
But there are other far more important standards that I teach.
I teach the standard of kindness. I teach the standard of respect. We work daily on the standards of saying “Thank you.” and “I’m sorry.” I teach the standard that loving others and putting them first is far more important than winning. We work on the standard of being honest no matter what.
These are the standards I teach, and the standards I expect from my students. And to me, these are far more important than the Common Core.
Of course, I celebrate the academic successes of my students every single day. We work extremely hard to learn the academic material, and I expect each of my students to work hard and do his or her best.
I am excited when my students make progress in their reading or master a difficult math concept. Any teacher would be.
But here are some things that get me really excited and remind me of what is truly important in life:
These are the things that make me so proud of my students. They are the moments that bring tears to my eyes. These are the times when I see all of the work we have been doing this year, all the standards I have been working so hard to teach, pay off.
If my students don’t master every single Common Core standard, but they have mastered these life standards, then I will have done my job. And I couldn’t be more proud of them.
Yes, you read that right.
True, I live in a state that has adopted the Common Core standards. I have no choice in the matter, and I am not here to get into any debates on how awful or wonderful they are. I do my best to teach these standards while always keeping each student’s best interest in mind.
But there are other far more important standards that I teach.
I teach the standard of kindness. I teach the standard of respect. We work daily on the standards of saying “Thank you.” and “I’m sorry.” I teach the standard that loving others and putting them first is far more important than winning. We work on the standard of being honest no matter what.
These are the standards I teach, and the standards I expect from my students. And to me, these are far more important than the Common Core.
Of course, I celebrate the academic successes of my students every single day. We work extremely hard to learn the academic material, and I expect each of my students to work hard and do his or her best.
I am excited when my students make progress in their reading or master a difficult math concept. Any teacher would be.
But here are some things that get me really excited and remind me of what is truly important in life:
- When one of my students brings in blankets for another student who told him that his family is cold at night.
- When I see one of my students in the hallway holding the hand of a new girl who is scared and lonely.
- When I hear one of my students thank the custodian for cleaning the school.
- When one of my students gives up winning a race to go back and help up a friend who has fallen.
These are the things that make me so proud of my students. They are the moments that bring tears to my eyes. These are the times when I see all of the work we have been doing this year, all the standards I have been working so hard to teach, pay off.
If my students don’t master every single Common Core standard, but they have mastered these life standards, then I will have done my job. And I couldn’t be more proud of them.