The concept of acquiring knowledge of a subject is usually reflected on a test; however, it goes beyond. What is most important is what we learn and what stays in our mind. “Wrong Answer,” a 2014 New Yorker article, tells the story of a middle school math teacher named Damany Lewis who decided to cheat to help his students do well on a state standardized test. The most important concern for Lewis was to see the school progress and his students improve; however, his decision didn’t work well. He met with a few other teachers to correct answers from the students’ exams. In the end, he was discovered and got fired together with the other teachers. The incident caused the closing of the school. I think Aviv present those teachers as they
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They spend more time in school than they spend at home with their parents, meaning that almost half of their moral values are acquired from their teachers. For instance, I saw a video about a teacher called Rita Pierson who was just like Lewis; she was encountering the same challenges with her students. Her students were academically deficient, and it was very hard to see them otherwise. But Pierson decided it was time to take a different approach. One day she came up with a bright idea and told her students, “You were chosen to be in my class because I am the best teacher and you are the best students.” Pierson, who came from a background of parents who were educators, knew how to inspire and inject enthusiasm, and, most importantly, try to build a relationship with her students. It was not easy; some of these kids were frequently absent and had negative attitudes, but it just took one action to make a reaction. If instead of cheating, Lewis had decided to use his capabilities to encourage his students to work on their grades, now he would be a hero instead of a cheater, and not only for his current students but also for the incoming generation as well. Furthermore, an action like that would be building confidence with high self-esteem in each individual. What they acquired for sure would continue to pass down and emphasize the importance of …show more content…
Walker didn’t understand what type of students he was dealing with. Lewis’s behavior was just an example of the back administration. If the head is not in shape, how can we expect the body to function? When educators have clear conviction about what they want for their students there is no need to cheat. They already know their route, when to turn right or left with their students. An empowered teacher can make students go beyond expectations and make them feel proud of themselves. All teachers have a goal with their students, but sometimes they fail on the way to accomplish that goal. Many teachers think that a test says everything; however, passing a test shouldn’t be the most important objective in school. In Aviv’s article John Ewing, former executive director of the American Mathematical Society, says, “The end goal of education isn’t to get students to answer the right number of questions. The goal is to have curious and creative students who can function in life.” (page 14) What he basically is saying is that education is more than getting the right answer on a test; it is about being efficient in society. I agree with this statement, which is totally the
They spend more time in school than they spend at home with their parents, meaning that almost half of their moral values are acquired from their teachers. For instance, I saw a video about a teacher called Rita Pierson who was just like Lewis; she was encountering the same challenges with her students. Her students were academically deficient, and it was very hard to see them otherwise. But Pierson decided it was time to take a different approach. One day she came up with a bright idea and told her students, “You were chosen to be in my class because I am the best teacher and you are the best students.” Pierson, who came from a background of parents who were educators, knew how to inspire and inject enthusiasm, and, most importantly, try to build a relationship with her students. It was not easy; some of these kids were frequently absent and had negative attitudes, but it just took one action to make a reaction. If instead of cheating, Lewis had decided to use his capabilities to encourage his students to work on their grades, now he would be a hero instead of a cheater, and not only for his current students but also for the incoming generation as well. Furthermore, an action like that would be building confidence with high self-esteem in each individual. What they acquired for sure would continue to pass down and emphasize the importance of …show more content…
Walker didn’t understand what type of students he was dealing with. Lewis’s behavior was just an example of the back administration. If the head is not in shape, how can we expect the body to function? When educators have clear conviction about what they want for their students there is no need to cheat. They already know their route, when to turn right or left with their students. An empowered teacher can make students go beyond expectations and make them feel proud of themselves. All teachers have a goal with their students, but sometimes they fail on the way to accomplish that goal. Many teachers think that a test says everything; however, passing a test shouldn’t be the most important objective in school. In Aviv’s article John Ewing, former executive director of the American Mathematical Society, says, “The end goal of education isn’t to get students to answer the right number of questions. The goal is to have curious and creative students who can function in life.” (page 14) What he basically is saying is that education is more than getting the right answer on a test; it is about being efficient in society. I agree with this statement, which is totally the