tests, tests, and more tests!!!

Friday's class brought back so many memories. All throughout middle school and high school, it was nothing, but major testing. Even though it was one test, the studying and preparing lasted for years. When I entered sixth grade, GEPA was all I heard until the day of testing came around. I remember preparing so much. Our english teacher had us writing practice picture prompts and narrative stories. It almost seemed endless. After three years of getting ready for the test, the week finally came. I have never been more stressed out because the teachers were making this into such a big deal. It was finally over, and it was a big relief.
I graduated eighth grade, and I started high school. All of a sudden, it was all about HSPA! It started all over again for another three years!! People were saying if you don't pass the HSPA, then you can't go to college, and I was so nervous.
Of course, I passed both tests, the GEPA and the HSPA, but it was a really stressful time. Teachers make these tests seem like the most important thing a student will ever do, but like I have heard before, "it's just a test." The stress that comes from these tests can actually hurt a student's ability to work. Who can get a good grade on a test after being stressed out over it? That's why from past experiences, I want to have a calm atmosphere for my students when preparing for these tests. The preparing part isn't supposed to stress them out, but prepare them calmly for what is ahead. A teacher can't stress the student's out because then they will stress themselves out, and I have already been stressed out for many years in middle school and high school.

Teacher to future teacher . . . .

While having dinner at my boyfriend's house, his mother and I got into a good conversation about her teaching. She teaches high school biology, and she was explaining to me what she goes through as a teacher. After talking to her, I realized I DO NOT want to teach high school. I don't know how she does it. She was telling me about a 350 pound student of hers who has a lot of problems and barely ever comes to class. He had been kicked out of the school many times, but keeps coming back. He has a lot of family problems, and this obviously affects his education. She feels bad for him, but there is really nothing she can do. The school knows about it, but they don't know what to do with him. She says that he walks around and curses, and he says horrible things to the girls.

It's sad to think how much a student's family life can affect their education so much. This young man obviously is suffering with a lot problems at home, and it seems like he doesn't care about anything. He needs a lot of help and attention to deal with these problems, and teachers can play a big part. Besides parents, teachers are like the second pair of parents. Students see them every day for about six hours a day.

After a long talk about being a teacher, I was tired. It really made me think about how much more there is to teaching. As a teacher, you are not only grading papers, but you are also taking care of your students and being a part of their life.