Greetings Thompson School District Community,
Over the last several weeks, I have had the unique opportunity to serve as a substitute teacher in a classroom at the elementary, middle and high school levels. While I began my educational career as a classroom teacher, it has been nearly twenty years since I have served in the capacity of a “teacher.” I can tell you firsthand that much has changed since the last time I was a full-time teacher, and a lot has remained the same.
First, the similarities: When you get down to it, kids are kids…and it is incumbent on us as educators to meet the needs of our students every day they come before us in the classroom. Students remain curious and full of energy. Most of them enjoy the social aspects of school–talking and working with one another and seeking out social interactions, be it through group work, eating in the lunchroom or playing on the playground. Like adults, students are social individuals who enjoy human interactions and positive relationships with one another. This social aspect was on full display at each of the schools in which I had the opportunity to substitute. Another similarity is that students are hungry to learn. Students expect much from their teachers and want to be engaged in activities that are purposeful, relevant and engaging. Our students are bright and they will work to the level and expectations that are set for them. Students want lessons that connect with real-world experiences and applications. They also are more interested in arriving at their own conclusions as opposed to being told what or how to think.
Now for some very clear differences: Students really like their electronic devices and, at the secondary level, their phones and personal devices. When I first started teaching in the 1990s, the computers that students used (and shared–as there was only one computer per classroom) were large and slow. It was a special event when students were able to use a computer, and the computers were either used as a typewriter or to play a game like “Oregon Trail” with very simple graphics and a text-dense platform. Today, devices are ubiquitous and are either personally owned or readily available on a one-to-one basis within the classroom. These devices serve as learning and social tools, and students demonstrate agility in toggling between technology and paper/pencil activities. Another clear difference I observed is that students seem to do a much better job advocating for their needs. Most of the students I was with did not seem to know that I was the superintendent of the school district. Yet many were comfortable interacting with me, asking for help or support on their assigned activities and providing feedback to me on their learning and their needs. The students were very polite and they also seemed to be very aware of what they needed to be doing to be successful. Even as a guest in their classrooms, I could see that students seemed to be self-aware and self-advocates for their learning. This was pretty darn impressive to me!
While I enjoy my job as the superintendent of the Thompson School District, having the opportunity to spend some authentic time within our classrooms as a substitute teacher not only gives me a deep appreciation for the hard work our school staff do on a daily basis, it also reminds me of how the student experience truly does matter. Plus it demonstrates that our kids still retain many of those positive qualities that, after nearly three decades in public education, I still remember from early in my career.
In a season of giving thanks and appreciation, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your engagement with the Thompson School District. It truly takes a community to support the important work that takes place each and every day in our schools for our nearly 15,000 students. Enjoy the remaining days of the fall season.
Sincerely,
Dr. Marc Schaffer
Superintendent
Thompson School District