Teachers: Keep Your Expectations High

The phrase "stick to what you know," can be a good thing.

But when it comes to helping our students thrive educationally, I see so many teachers setting the standards and achievement bar very low for what their students can actually do.

As a teacher trainer, I point this out to them. In response they tell me, "she hasn't yet reached her potential" or, "he's still struggling," or, "his work isn't up to standard."

So what are you doing to help raise the achievement bar for your students?

Are you using a variety of appealing methods of instruction and activities?

Do you use get-to-know-you activities as a starting point for instruction?

All students experience setbacks just like teachers. Some more than others.

But this doesn't mean you should compromise on your level of instruction.

When this happens, we also lower our expectations without really noticing that we do this.

We also stick to teaching methods and activities that we KNOW students can do without too much difficulty.

In the long run, this might help with the process of surviving in the classroom, but, your students won't be challenged.

If we continue to keep low expectations, we'll have a hard time even convincing ourselves that our students are capable of doing so much more.

Would you want to keep the same opinion about yourself and your own teaching abilities?

My guess is, I don't think so.

So what are you waiting for?

Keep those standards and expectations high.

DO keep realistic expectations based on what you KNOW your students can do, NOT where you expect them to be.

Then pull up your students slowly and steadily, one step at a time.

Work it!