Reviews from

That's why ...

I loved teaching, and

26 total reviews 
Comment from Sally Law
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I think I would have loved havimg you as a teacher, Wendy. You're so balancec and have equipped your students for life. A marvelous account of what truly matters. Sending you my best today as always, and my very best wishes in the contest.
Sal XOs

 Comment Written 26-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 26-Jul-2023
    Thank so much Sally. I appreciate your lovely and encouraging words.
    Wendy
Comment from lyenochka
Excellent
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I remember some of your stories about your creative method of teaching. Thank you for helping your students succeed in life as well as learn math and French! Best wishes in the contest!

 Comment Written 26-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 26-Jul-2023
    Thank you very much. There are so many stories, so many good memories.
    Lovely review.
    Wendy
Comment from patcelaw
Excellent
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As a student in high school, I found that the teachers that I really remember all those for years were the ones who were very creative with her teaching you sound like you might've been one of those kind of teachers to me. I also think this holds true in being a parent we need to be creative with our parenting, and we need to try to make the creativity in such a way that it deals with each individual as a individual and not try to push the same thing on everyone. I enjoyed your story very much, and I wish you the very best in the contest. You are a teacher indeed. Patricia.

 Comment Written 25-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 26-Jul-2023
    Thanks so much Patricia for this delightful review, which I appreciate very much. You are right - it is exactly the same for parenting.
    Wendy
Comment from Faith Williams
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

An engaging piece on your teaching career, Wendy. I particularly liked your idea of the Snail Club for French. And an adapted Amazing Race as well. Too much now, at least in the US, is focused on test scores rather than teaching students. My husband will be starting his 21st year of teaching in August. Things have changed. Thank you for sharing your well-written thoughts, and best wishes in the contest.

 Comment Written 25-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 26-Jul-2023
    Thank you very much Faith. The fact is - test scores mean little. One can set an easy exam, and all or most do well, or a hard exam with the converse (even with state wide tests), and tests need to be really well designed to assure appropriate discrimination between achievement levels. And in the end? Tests are demotivating, when one considers how easily and quickly work learned for a test is forgotten. Recall is different from in-depth understanding which will stand for life. Sorry, you know all that! It's a pity there is not more flexibility. We had formal exams twice a year, and in-class assessment otherwise. Best wishes to your husband in his teaching career. And thank you so much for a very nice and very positive review.
    Wendy
Comment from Anne Johnston
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wendy, this is beautiful. It must have been a joy to be one of your students, because you put everything into it. You give us so many reasons for why you loved teaching. I liked the paragraph:
"That's why I encouraged students to find their gifts and use them wisely and well, and for everything else, to do their best. No-one can ask for more."

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 24-Jul-2023
    Thank you very much Anne. I loved teaching and even just writing this story brought back so many memories.
    Thank you very much for the six stars.
    Wendy
reply by Anne Johnston on 25-Jul-2023
    You are very welcome, Wendy.
Comment from Spitfire
Excellent
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Effective use of parallel structure. Plenty creative examples of methods used to teach even the students weak in a subject. It's easy to see why you would be an effective teacher. Good luck in the contest. BTW I love your new picture.

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 23-Jul-2023
    Thank you for all your lovely words. I am glad you enjoyed this piece (and thanks re the photo too. I would have preferred a more distant one. Lol. But yes, that's the real me, taken last week.)
    Wendy
Comment from Soledadpaz
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I love the way you structured your essay using the repetition of "that's why" to introduce the main paragraphs. It emphasizes the dedication you had in reaching and teaching your students.

I agree, life lessons are invaluable. Especially when they come from someone who cares enough to invest their time in you.

Well done!

Sol

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 23-Jul-2023
    Thank you so very much Sol. What a lovely review! I am very appreciative of the six stars. They mean a lot to me.
    Wendy
Comment from Annmuma
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I don't if your post will take number one, but I am certainly ready to vote for you as teacher of the year!! Wendy, I am inspired, just reading your story. Teachers make a huge difference in their students's lives ad it is no doubt, you have made a positive one. Your post was a pleasure to read. Good luck in the contest. ann

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 23-Jul-2023
    Thank you so very much Ann. (Haven't seen you for a while. Are you okay?) I greatly value the Exceptional rating and six stars. They, along with your words, mean a great deal to me.
    Wendy
reply by Annmuma on 24-Jul-2023
    I had some surgery and it entailed about 6 weeks recovery. I am fine now and ready to write again. Thanks for asking. ann
Comment from w.j.debi
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

What an inspiring teacher you must be. I wish you were my teacher. How fun to learn French and mathematics as you describe.
This is an extremely well written essay with specific examples that support your points. The passion comes through as well.
Best of luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 23-Jul-2023
    Thank you so much for your lovely words. I feel many missed out on a great deal because their teachers were unimaginative or uninspiring. I wish I had the energy to continue! Thank you so much for the Exceptional rating and six stars. They, along with your words, mean a great deal to me.
    Wendy
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is a magnificent piece for the teachers' contest. In fact, it would be a great essay to be placed in a magazine for teachers in goals for teachers sections. Although I tried some creative teaching ideas, I fell far short of your motivational teaching ideas. In our goals, though, for helping them to learn life lessons.

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 23-Jul-2023
    Thank you Verna for this wonderful review and six stars. Your words mean a lot to me. Perhaps I should think about putting some of my strategies together for new teachers.
    Wendy