Two students (the naughty students who were suspended for inappropriate use) asked me today: who were the best students you have ever taught?
That's a difficult question. I have taught many good students. But the ones I remember best had IMAGINATION!
For example, there was an American girl, Tavi. Every problem I asked, she got it exactly right. Once, I gave a really hard test. She got every probelm exactly right. Until the last problem, which was not too hard, compared to the problems she had already solved. Her solution was full of alien symbols, and she annotated it:
"I'm sorry, Mr. Mick, my brain is not functioning at the proper voltage right now."
Tavi dropped out of high school at age 15. She was pregnant. I said, "Tavi, high school is too easy for you. That's why you do drugs and live in a trailer with your 19-year-old boyfriend. You want new experiences." I drove her to the Community College and introduced her to the e-learning program there. She has since excelled. She is now working on her Ph.D in child psychology. She wants to help teenage Moms.
"Memorable!" exclaimed Karan. "Your best students were memorable! Like the boy who ate coconuts in your class!"
"Minsoo?" I asked. "He was one of the funniest students I ever taught, but not one of the best."
"But MEMORABLE!" he pointed out.
Yes, it's true. Is that what life is about, creating memories?
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2 comments:
How do you know she's working on her phd? Are you still in touch with her?
Yes, Matt. I still get the occasional email. About a year ago she emailed just to say thanks, that she remembers me, and that she wants me to know that she's doing well in school.
Those kind of things are the best part of being a teacher.
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