Teaching the alphabet," A like in apple, B like in ball, C like in cat, D like in dog .... NOPE!" In today's classroom that D is for DATA! Don't check out just yet stay with me! I have sat in data meetings waiting for my head to explode and dreading them because well most of the times in those meetings you feel like your ability to teach is being judged. You feel like if your data isn't meeting expectations that it means you have failed. I had to change my mindset about data. The way I now look at data is as a tool to enhance learning for my students. You can not have a personalized learning journey without data. So I am sitting here evaluating my students middle of the year MAP data and at first I was discouraged. The old mindset was there looking at the negative and beating myself up for it. Then I pulled the student growth reports and was determined to find the good. The good was there the entire time I just had to choose to find it. Looking at all my students and comparing where they started and where they are now even if they did not meet the middle of the year goal MAP set for them they ALL made progress ALL of them 22 students made at least 1 point of progress most it was 10 points or more. CELEBRATION!!! The next thing was to see which areas they are strong in and which areas they need more support and practice. I felt the need to share this because as a kindergarten teacher my data doesn't look or mean the same as say a 3rd or 5th grade teachers data but the goal is the same we want our kids to keep moving up! Test scores do not determine your value or ability as a teacher. Your ability as a teacher comes from what you choose to do with that data. Are you going to use it to drill your kids with worksheets, flashcards, more homework? Or will you use them to elevate those students towards success through modifying their personalized learning journey in a way to meet their needs? I hope we all choose the latter.
This was a great post to read. It is hard to see past those kiddos that are still struggling and easy to beat your self up. Spending time in celebration is something that I will definitely do after reading this post. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI was very overwhelmed this past week I put off looking at it anymore after our PLC. I am so thankful I didn't let that stop me.
DeleteAttitude and perspective is key! Love the reflective nature of this post! Do you know what helped you change the way you view your data? How did you come to make that choice?
ReplyDeleteJust think about how discouraged our students can become when they see negative data all the time. I was guilty of looking at data incorrectly also - looking at the low scores and fussing at the students because I knew that I had "taught" it. That was no way to motivate them - especially if they were students with consistently low scores. It wasn't the score that mattered - it was how far they had come. You are completely right! Moving ahead is never a bad thing, and for some it just takes a little longer to find the right match to light their fuse. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was that moment of self realization that if I look at data with a defeated attitude my kids sense it and that just adds to their stress. When we make it a point to celebrate even the little things then Days become an empowering tool instead of a defeating tool.
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