Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question

1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.

FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Never judge a book by it's cover.

This question was a struggle for me. I sat and pondered this thought with my husband because I try not to make assumptions on the abilities of others. I tend to use an assessment method that draws from objective information that I have gathered historically. Then I was reminded of a comment that I made regarding a high school classmate. I was shocked to learn that one of my high school classmates was a successful Computer Engineer for Microsoft Corporation in the state of California. I shared with my husband that I never realized that he was academically capable of achieving that type of success. I remember the shock that I felt when I realized that he was accepted into a respected college and then to learn of his graduation some years later.
My judgment of his learning ability was based on one simple fact, I never had classes with him so I automatically assumed he was not college bound. I graduated from a small school system that yielded 89 graduates the year of my graduation. College prep students were always categorized and placed in the same classes. I failed to realize that those not in the college prep pathway could still gain entry into college and still succeed. My perspective of this situation did not change until nearly 20 years later when preparing for our 20th year high school class reunion. As one of the organizers of the event, I tracked this young man down to deliver a personal invitation for his appearance. Once I began speaking to him, I was floored, astonished and almost speechless to find that he had experienced such academic success as well as professional success. I must say that after 20 years, I am proud to say that I do my best not to pre-judge the abilities of others.

2 comments:

Tonya said...

Suzette, I was so caught up thinking about this question with my students in mind that I never even thought outside the box like you did! Once I read your post, I thought about my 20 year reunion that I attended just this past October. I did the same thing as you! I was so shocked to see how successful some of my classmates (that I would have NEVER guessed) had become. And on the other hand, I was surprised that some that I would have expected to go to law or medical school had chosen different paths. The title of your post is definately correct- never judge a book by its cover! We all know what they say about assuming!

Suzette said...

Thanks Tonya,

I was perplexed in the same manner at the number of students that I thought would be nuclear physicist that had not even finished college at all. Thankfully my hubby helped me out with this one. Glad it's helping you!