This year, with a small class I’m teaching, I’m again using an old trick I learned from the amazing Benjamin Zander. See the video on our YouTube channel - Everyone Gets An A.
What’s this trick? Well, I’m getting students to write letters to themselves. They write a letter to themselves, saying why they got an A in the class. They write about who they will be after a year in class.
I give them an envelope and stamp and then collect the letters which I’ll post at the end of the course.
I’ve done this for years with my graduate students and pre-service teachers and it is a great exercise - one you might modify for your own students, classes.
Students love the surprise and joy of getting a “real” letter! But beyond that, I think it will foster and nurture a level of reflection but also, it will help tamper down the competitive demons that seem to plague both teaching and especially “becoming a teacher”.
The students seal their letters and I won’t be reading them. This is for themselves only and they are the only ones to be surprised or disappointed by the letter they’ll receive weeks, months down the road, when they complete the course. We get what we put in ….
Of course, this might not work for your teaching. But maybe students can just write you a letter? Simple as that, telling you about themselves, their life, how they learn best etc? Use this free template.
Another option might be to have students write out “What I Wish My Teacher Knew” - a great way to do an informal needs assessment.
Here is the non-chatgpt letter I wrote to myself before starting my teaching this term. Please forgive the length!
……………………………………………………………………
Sept. 02, 2024
Dear class,
I deserved my A because I gave it my best shot. What I mean is that given whatever our circumstances as teachers, we really have that as our yardstick and measure.
I don’t agree a lot with the current mantra of “weed out the bad teachers”. There are no good or bad teachers — we are all adrift in the wind of our own circumstances and the only heights, the only bar we need climb over is that — we did our best.
This year I challenged myself in several ways and that’s why I got an A. One. I asked my students to be responsible for their own learning and to be their own engine and light. I challenged them with the task of taking the curriculum provided and learning it of their own volition, curiosity and need. It was tough at the beginning but with time, students saw the classroom as a place of inquiry and thought where their battle was only with themselves. And they grew more responsible and receptive of that freedom I gave them.
I deserved my A for avoiding teaching by numbers and allowing teachers to grow into their own teaching skins, boots, beliefs.
I got an A because I came prepared to my classes. Sometimes less, sometimes more — but that’s life. My best was done.
I got an A because I think I modeled a type of teacher we might want in our schools and profession. One constantly engaged in professional development, transparent and sharing ideas and resources. There is no finish line. I deserved my A because I learned from my students and didn’t just teach them. When one teaches, two learn.
Lastly, I got an A because despite the dark, wretched winters here, I kept seeing the cup half full. Kept the class thinking and positive. Kept it engaged and engaging knowledge. Kept being happy to come to class and have a place to be a teacher. It was never a chore but an honor. It’s been a great year. I’ve developed so much. Like a tree, I have one more circle added and that will forever embrace and mark me.
Sincerely, Your teacher,
David
Dear Future Self