You may have heard more than a little last week about the Edmonton teacher, Lynden Dorval, who was suspended for giving zeros. Even a week later there is a lot of discussion as to whether or not zero grades help or harm students.
The initial reaction was, “What! No Zeros?!! How will children be prepared for real life? If you don’t do the work, you shouldn’t get the marks!”
I don’t know what the details of the school’s policy are and the reasoning behind it. On the surface, though, it does seem like the above reaction is valid.
Now that the emotional reaction has gotten out of the way, people are looking for more information on giving out zeros. I heard an interview yesterday with a Red Deer teacher, Rob Bauer, who had a some intriquing thoughts in favor of no zeros. Huh? Wait, keep reading.
One excellent point he made is that kids who get zeros – don’t complete assignments or don’t show up for tests – are usually already struggling or disengaged. That said, will a zero motivate them? Not so much. It’ll only make it worse. Or in extreme cases, they’ll just shrug their shoulders in indifference. The zero just proves to them – once again – that they are unworthy or stupid or whatever other negative message they have adopted into their life.
Mr.Bauer said that teachers are there to teach, they are not “punishers”. When a child is struggling, there is a reason. A mark – good or bad – won’t help with the struggle. Maybe the way they are being taught doesn’t work for them. There are many students out there, especially boys, who have trouble learning in the way schools are set up. Maybe they’ve received so many messages outside of school that they’re worthless, they simply don’t bother putting in effort. This teacher suggested that there need to be more “teachable” rather than “punitive” moments.
I tend to agree with that.
I was a pretty good student. I hated studying and never really figured out how to do it effectively. Still, I got A’s and B’s in most subjects. In the subjects I was poor in – mostly math – I just gritted my teeth and hoped for the best. Which was usually to just barely pass. As a result I now have a hate on for anything to do with numbers which certainly doesn’t serve me. If someone had taken the time to reach out before I got completely discouraged, things may have turned out differently.
I only failed one test in my entire school career and it devastated me. It was in grade 4 social. I still remember how horrible I felt. I didn’t tell anyone. I hid the test so I wouldn’t have to see it and be reminded of how stupid I was in that particular part of the course. I can only imagine how someone must feel who consistently sees big red F’s on their paper.
One thing I was really good in was Art. In grade 3 in Saskatchewan, you didn’t receive grades. The marks were E – Excellent, S – Satisfactory, U – Unsatisfactory. My mid-year report card came and I got an S instead of an E in Art. I was angry. I was hurt. I questioned my artistic leanings. All as a result of one average, not even bad, mark.
I have no solutions for the education system. There are valid arguments on both sides. The most important point, to me, is how important it is to know your students and know why they are having trouble. I know many teachers and I know how difficult that is with large numbers and long hours. So, again, I am not the one to give answers.
What I do know is how much our school years affect our adulthood. Whether it’s grades, bullying, friends or lack thereof and many other factors, those memories and feelings inform who we are and how we feel about ourselves.
Despite it all, we can become our own hero. Whether you got zeros or hundreds on your school papers, you can create your reality now.
- Discover your unique ability. We all have one. What are you great at? There are things you hate to do, can do but don’t enjoy, do well but don’t give you any juice and the one or two things you can do without thinking that give you joy and satisfaction. Find that thing and do it in your job, your everyday life.
- Do some exercises to forgive yourself and those involved in creating the negative messages you’ve adopted as truth.
- Challenge yourself daily in big or small ways. Celebrate your success.
- Take time for “teaching moments” with your children, subordinates or friends. You know what it feels like to be misunderstood. Take the time to understand and help those around you.
- Give yourself a break. No one is perfect. We all stumble. We all have our challenges. Breathe and keep going onto the next thing. Put away your beating stick, you don’t need it.
We have all had negative messages thrown at us in one way or another through our lives. The question is, are you going to rise above it and be your own Hero and wallow in it and be a Zero? It’s your choice. No one has power over your life except you. Decide what you want and go from there. I hope you all choose to be Heros.
Hugs, Christie