A Teacher Reflects Back

« Back

Added on September 23, 2022 by Anonymous

A Teacher Reflects Back | Reading

Dear WPS Students:

If I had the chance to go back to middle school and high school there would be some things I would do differently. Although I am a teacher- and teachers love learning- we all didn't start off perfectly and I am certainly one of those. Here are some pieces of advice that I think will help you capitalize on your chances of making the most of your education and the time and resources in front of you all.

  1. Don't be afraid to ask questions/make mistakes. Nervous that the teacher will think you are weird for asking a question? Afraid of taking a more difficult class because you might not get an A? Shy because of what you are going to look like in front of your secret crush? Your education is yours and you have every right to ask questions, challenge yourself and make mistakes; whoever makes fun of you for this or criticizes you is not on the true path to learning.
  2. Read!Read as much as you can about whatever topic you are interested in. I know you have heard this before but the truth is that so much of our productive time is wasted on doing unproductive tasks. Instead of reading a magazine, a book for school/pleasure, or researching world events, we watch TV, surf the Internet for meaningless things or worry about superficial nonsense. Get off of Facebook, don't worry who is dating who, don't worry about whatever reality TV show's next episode may bring, or if someone has a nicer car than you. All of that time can instead be used for discovering something new and bettering yourself. So get out there and read!
  3. Push yourself to read outside of your interests. If you love science, try reading something about art. If you love theater, try reading something about history. You never know just what you might stumble upon and how it can benefit and change you. I believe we should all strive to be comprehensive learners and learn many topics from the whole gamut.
  4. Gain discipline Not only should you push yourself to read and to read other topics, but push yourself to learn and see the value of other subjects. Don't think that just because something is boring, or not 'your thing' that you can't learn from it. Be open and give it a chance. This requires discipline and patience. Too often I see students who lose interest, motivation and respect for a topic because it does not offer instant gratification like an IPAD or a play station would. Learning can be fun but its not all entertainment. And yes let me point that out…you are not in school to be entertained. Learning requires discipline to be able to appreciate these moments of diversion.
  5. Think of the bigger world. You must start to realize that the more you learn about the bubble outside of yourself, your school, your neighborhood, your state, your country, and even the earth, the more you will discover your own place and purpose. There are people just like you in other parts of the world…learn about them! This world and universe is a neat place so take interest in it all.

From a WPS teacher

 

 

 

Search

 

Recent Posts

 

Archives

 

Categories

 

Alumni

community service

Dance

View All »

Fresh Ideas

View All »

homework

View All »

Honors, AP, and IB

View All »

Latin

Nord Anglia Education

View All »

Performing Arts

View All »

Poetry

View All »

Research

Sports

View All »

Student Tips

View All »

Tap

View All »

Teacher's Perspective

View All »

The Juilliard School

Transfer Student

View All »

Uncategorized

View All »

Volunteering

work

Writing

View All »

Tags

 

RSS Feed