Tough Week

Last week was one of my toughest weeks of the year. When I started doing the mindset experiments with the fifth grade and saw how fixed/growth mindsets were already formed, I worried. But I took heart because that's something we can do something about by deliberately teaching how we think and the way we look at ourselves.

Then...

Each fifth grade filled out a survey, which you can download from our webpage this week. I challenge you to download and look at it, even if you don't teach fifth grade.  It's telling. The place I chose to focus last week was around the students that checked: I just don't like school. I wanted to know why because I want that number to be zero. Every child should want to come to school. I know that's idealistic and not pragmatic, but nonetheless, it's my dream.

I pulled only students who had checked I just don't like school on the survey and met with them individually and asked them why they don't like school.

Man, it's so true that when you ask a question, you should be prepared for the answer.

I only got to eight kids last week and every single one of them didn't like school for very valid reasons. Some are being bullied. Some feel the material goes too fast and they can't understand or there are certain subjects they can't get so they don't want to come. Some have a self-image issue and see themselves as getting in trouble too much. Over half of these kids cried when they told me these things.

After the last student was interviewed for the week, I looked out my office window and lamented. Am I doing everything for these kids? I know we're moving too fast for some kids, I know that kids need emotional support and social support as much as academic. Again, am I doing everything I can?

If last week taught me anything, it is that we must continually talk about the importance of education and working hard. Seriously. Education is their key to a better future, in fact, I dare say for some of them, their only key. But it will take all of us, and I mean all of us, reinforcing that message to them.