I am a difficult student.
I cannot stand the open-endedness in assignments and tasks, even though the ambiguity exists to provide flexibility for all of the various contents, curriculums and districts that our cohort members function under. I have a million questions. I want examples. I want to revise and resubmit. I get annoyed that I waste time trying to understand what is being asked of me and not actually on the task itself. But I also hate being boxed in. I don't teach a core subject area so my teeth start to gnash when I don't have the flexibility to adapt assignments to music. I find myself exasperated when the feedback I receive shows a fundamental misunderstanding of my content area. There is admittedly some contradiction here, re: my distaste for ambiguity while insisting on adaptability. What I finally had to admit today is that I want to do things on my terms and no one else's. I want clear, explicit directions but I expect the freedom to divert from that at will, and without recourse. But that is just not how the world works. I'm working on it. I told you I was a difficult student.
2 Comments
3/30/2016 06:02:55 pm
It sounds like you have been pondering this for a time.
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Cindy
3/30/2016 06:17:04 pm
Oh no, I'm starting a master's program and I am nervous about myself as an adult student. The worst feeling is being unproductive when you are putting so much effort in. Best of luck! Hope it gets better!
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AUTHORReese: Elementary Music Teacher in Chicagoland. Clarinetist and Trumpeter.
I'm writing a Slice of Life every day for the month of March as part of the Slice of Life Challenge. See more at TWO WRITING TEACHERS. MY FAVORITE POSTS |