Not there YET

I am a teacher in an underperforming school that has been underperforming for years. Many are probably thinking that I should leave and work somewhere else; that might be the easiest thing to do. The better thing to do is to stay and help the students grow in academics, social, and growth mindset. In the past three years working at my school, we have gone from an F rating to a D minus rating, and we keep telling ourselves we are not there YET. Hearing Carol Dweck’s Ted talks about the power of YET, I was able to relate. My campus is not a failure; it means we are still growing.
On Mondays, students set goals based on things they want to achieve: academics, socially, or something outside the school. On Wednesdays, we reflect on our goals, and we check if the goal was mastered by the students or close are we to meeting the goal. On Fridays, we see if the students completed their goals. Students can choose the same goal the following week (they may want consistency) or alter their plan during the week. Students are in charge of their own goals and achievements. As students take control of their learning goals, they also seek how they will achieve their goals. They collaborate with their peers, and it becomes a discussion. When students accomplish a plan, whether it is socially or academically, they are most likely to want to learn more.
We had not passed any playing rules for athletics, band, dance, and other extracurricular activities in high school. Everyone on the team was able to make the grade and participate. I never met someone who could not join because of their grade. I did not put much thought into it till now that I am a teacher. It makes me think about the students who did not try out to be in sports because they were “not good readers or good at math.” If these students had YET instead of no pass, no play, they would have succeeded in academics or sports.
I am adding the YET in my classroom for my students. YET means there is hope, time, and growth, which our students need.