Closing Remarks

This week I collected my final research data and as I sat down to make conclusions and reflect on the information it revealed, I realized that even though my data was based on information from the kids, that information didn't necessarily communicate the entire truth.  As I got to thinking, I began to realize that every survey I had given out, no matter how 'objective' the interpretation on my end, the interpretation in the eyes of the students may have varied by day, week, month, year, position, experience, culture, family, etc.  It was my goal and desire for the data to be objective as possible.  However, objective thinking did not necessarily even cross their minds.  Many times it looked as if student circled or scribbled the closest number to wherever their pencil was resting.  Besides, every student is very different.  Even with the description of what each number means, there is still a huge error chance.  An horrible day to one student might be an awesome day to another and vice-versa.  

Instead of pouting about the fact that research revolving people will never be completely accurate or flawless, I decided that I would attempt to calm my nerves by seeking out more information.  So I passed out a final surveying form, which asked my students to think back over their trimester and conclude for themselves, without any help from the collected data, their feelings about the trimester, their attitude, effort and comfort level in the classroom.  Curious to see the results, I also asked students whether they had any control over their learning experiences.  It was interesting to see that a few students realized their control in experience lay in their perspective, while others were not able to see that, and concluded that they had no control over their learning.  I wonder if the students who had the wisdom to see their own control gleaned that knowledge from others or if they stumbled upon it through reflection and reasoning?  Likewise, I wonder if the other students were told about the power of perspective, if they could find new enjoyment in learning and new depth to their educational experience?

Through these last surveys, I have found that I have been much harder on myself as a teacher then I needed to be.  I set my goal at a level of ideal perfection when I entered the teaching profession, and have been reflecting on all the infinite ways that I could improve my teaching, instead of focusing on improving the strengths that I already have. 

So, in focusing on the positive, I have found through this teaching experience, research and reflection the following:

1. Students are as comfortable with me as I am comfortable with myself
2. Students want friends, and need teachers.
3. Students WANT to learn (this was REALLY encouraging to read on surveys!!!)
4. Students also want to have fun and be social
5. Boundaries are not unwanted, but will always be tested in order to guarantee their stability
6. You cannot judge a student by their expression, just like you cannot judge a book by its cover
7. Students hear what you don't say through your actions
8. Students want to be valued and enjoy success (even the ones who pretend not to, smile about it when they think you are not looking)
9. Students care more if I care more
10. Students can complain about and enjoy the same task.

Likewise, I have learned much about myself:

1. I like to be liked by students, but also take pride in times when they call me 'mean' or 'strict.'
2. I expect my students to all pass with high grades, and to retry if they don't succeed the first time
3. I love to learn and struggle to understand the student who seems uninterested in learning 
4. I sometimes sacrifice too much of myself to help my students and end up being worn-out and less help to them than if I had done/counseled/interacted with/tutored/etc. less deeply.  
5. I struggle seeing students as purposeful in bad behavior.

There is still so much to learn!  I suppose that means there is a necessity for more research in the future. :)

-AmyM