The new semester started on Monday and I don’t know about you, but I am so excited! My students made incredible gains last semester – and I can’t wait to see what students will accomplish during second semester.
My vision for students in my classroom is three-fold:
- Students should take ownership of their learning.
- Students should hold themselves accountable to a high standard.
- Students should have integrity in their thoughts, words, and actions.
It goes without saying that as their teacher, I have these expectations for my students. However, it is not enough. Students also need to believe in the importance of owning their learning, holding themselves accountable, and demonstrating integrity in every facet of their life.
To help guide them on their journey, I have included this semester’s Academic Integrity Contract. It is vital that students shift their focus on learning, and stray from the paralyzing shackles of “getting good grades.” If students are learning, the grades will happen. But if students are not learning, or are developing bad habits and cutting corners, all the “good” grades in the world will fail to prepare them for life after high school.
Integrity is not just a buzzword people use to define good character – it is a way of life.
Students may not see it now no matter how much our elders tell us about it, however integrity will truly define who you are as you grow. Integrity is the honesty of your work as well as yourself. How can one be true to themselves without intentionally holding strong integrity? They can’t! If you can’t be honest in what you make and say then you won’t be able to trust yourself as a learner and neither can those around you. Out of my own experiences I can say that it’s NOT and will NEVER be the grade that matters, but the knowledge you’re given. It’s truly a gift we’re able to learn, and use what we’ve learned to build on our future. In simple terms, be honest in your work. Be honest in what you express and of course, be honest with yourself.