Year In Review

Here is a list of things I learned this year and things I'd like to improve next year:

• Inspect what you expect. It's OK to give students responsibilities, but don't give them more than they can handle, and hold them accountable.


• Maintain high academic expectations. If students know that they can get away with substandard work, they will. Don't let them. They won't learn anything that way.


• Maintain a proper work/life balance. My workout routine took a major hit this year. There were some reasons for that other than work, but physical fitness needs to be a very high priority.


• Don't get too involved. This is only a job.


• Establish routines and stick to them. Students need predictability and clarity of expectations. This includes everything from how to request hallway passes to when to sharpen a pencil to grading and attendance policies.


• Unfortunately, I've learned that teenagers can't be trusted. They make promises they can't keep; they cheat, lie, and steal; they don’t follow through; they bicker and complain; and they generally act like immature teenagers. I thought that my job would be teaching. It's more like 10% teaching and 90% babysitting.