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Teacher Alix Peshette discovers anew the power of high expectations when
Sean H., her 'solid F ' social studies student, lands in her art class.
Hi All,
It's that time of year when there are too many grey days, filled with rain,
reluctant students and demanding parents. Some of you have lately shared
joys and frustrations; I wanted to add one of my own.
I teach 7th grade world history and all the 7th grade art at my middle school.
At the start of the second semester, as I looked on my roll sheet for the
new art classes, I saw the name of Sean H. and groaned. "Not Sean H.,
pleassseeeee...." He had sat through a semester of social studies,
never a problem, but never engaged; true wallpaper. He was always doodling
in his journal when he should have been writing on the topic of the day.
He had a very solid" F" in social studies.
As I looked at Sean's name on my art class list, I got one of those rare
flashes (seldom but wonderful) of insight. I could approach this in a whole
different way. The first day of art class, as Sean slunk in the door, I
greeted him with "Boy, Sean, I've been looking forward to having you
in art; you're such a good artist!" He brightened up considerably and
looked me in the eye. Over a period of the next three weeks, Sean blossomed
into a productive student in both art AND SOCIAL
STUDIES!!!!
Sean is now one of my best buddies in both classes. He is my resident computer
whiz and helper of other students. Last Friday, when I handed out the weekly
computer-generated social studies grades, Sean's grade was an A!! In art,
Sean has turned out to be 'native talent' with a great eye for detail, composition
and color.
I'm not trying to pat myself on the back. I am just glorying in the wonder
of the moment. It's these quiet moments that remind me that teaching is
a most wonderful career and art can be that magic connection for some students.
Alix Peshette
Emerson Junior High School
Davis, CA