Hard Work and High Expectations

AZTF Fellow - Thai Nguyen

“Hard work + High expectations = Endless possibilities” is a simple formula that every teacher should live by.  I wish I could take credit for it.  But it was Drew Shaw, my 2010 AZTF Fellow Advisor, who inspired me with this quote.    

Of the three sixth grade classes at my school, I have the bottom third students who scored the lowest on the AIMS test last year.  Some of my students are reading at the fourth and fifth grade level and most of my students struggle with basic multiplication and division fluency.  For 23 out of my 25 students, English is a second language.  Yet, my class’s average on district assessments has been among the best in the district throughout the year.

What is my secret?  Hard work and high expectations.  I strive to be the hardest working teacher and for my students to be the hardest working students.  For example, when working on a math problem, students are not allowed to just write the answer.  As tedious as it might be, students must show their work every single time.  Almost as important, if not more important than hard work, is high expectations.  For example, I expect all my students to achieve an 80% or higher on all assessments.  No exceptions.  I remind my students every morning that we are working together to achieve this big goal.          

“Hard work + High expectations = Endless possibilities.”  I don’t remember if it was Drew who came up with this saying or if he heard it from somebody else.  Nonetheless, these words have been pivotal to my success as a  teacher.

Growth beyond the Court and Classroom

AZTF Fellow - Yani Delima

Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

AMY HOUSTON BOYS BASKETBALL 2011-2012 RECORD: 2 wins-0 losses 

As a special education teacher at a school that offers services to students with emotional and behavioral disabilities, teaching is more than just academic content. Teaching involves modeling and demanding appropriate behaviors from students in varying situations in the classroom and otherwise.

At my school I serve as one of the assistant basketball coaches. Seeing the transformation of my team has been one of the most gratifying moments of my teaching career. I couldn’t be prouder of the boys who continue to learn the importance of appropriate interaction and sportsmanship. Moreover, the skills they are learning on the court are being displayed in the classroom.  A team environment has been motivating for the boys involved and has brought forth a sense of confidence that would have been difficult to foster otherwise. Additionally, other students and staff have become inspired by the “can do” attitude of these athletes. 

               

Our team is small, sometimes playing with no more than five members. Our school is unable to offer afterschool extracurricular sports activities.  Students choose to give up their lunch and free time to dedicate to basketball practice. These young men have shown dedication and passion beyond their peers and have held their team members accountable on the court and in the classroom, working diligently to complete homework before practice. As coaches we enforce an academics first mentality and the team is taking that message seriously.

All children can succeed and grow.  However, it takes the right motivations and guidance. I am glad to be a part of the changes I see in these boys and look forward to observing their continued success both on and off the court!