There is an odd juxtaposition to how I feel these days and wishing that I had not become such a grown-up…
I found myself discussing my own two kids with a colleague the other day.
And she described the fact that my kids would be bilingual as they’re super power
She went on to talk about how the transformation from the beginning of first grade to the end of first grade is something phenomenal.
She wondered if I in my high school tenure had witnessed something similar although she doubted it.
I explained to her that the transformation I got to see with my ninth graders from the fall to the spring was amazing.
And that they really grew into being high schooler’s and that they grew up so fast.
And for the next several days since that conversation I wondered what that means exactly…
What behaviors and I seen the make some grown-up what behaviors am I seen that makes them grown up? Have they grown their curiosity? For the intrinsically motivated to study a certain area of study? Where they more self driven than before?
Did they ask better questions?
Did they ask why or how instead of what more often?
Or they just become better at the game of school?
When I graduates come back and visit I often ask them what do you remember from my class? What still remains with you what was valuable?
Their answers are not surprising and often times very consistent.
And then I asked them what have you used in real life from my class?
What could you take with you and put them to good use?