Throwing Caution to the Wind & Tests ...

Is it, sometimes, important to throw caution to the wind? 

Yesterday was NWEA testing day.  All of my students were tested, from the students in my college prep classes to the students in my workshop class, which goes more slowly.  Prior to taking them to complete their test, I paced in front of classroom, detailing the game plan, the importance of taking their time, and the fact that they were going to work their hardest.  I knew, KNEW, they could do it.  

Think Robin Williams and Carpe Diem…! 

I at least inspired the woman who runs our computer lab and proctored the test.

After taking my first class to the lab, I stood with her as she gave instructions and told them to take their time and do their best.  When she finished, I threw my fist in the air and yelled, “GO BIG OR GO HOME!”

Yup!  Inspired her to nearly jump out of her skin!  I couldn’t help but notice she started to walk away from me prior to finishing her pep talk in the subsequent classes.  By the way, don’t all teachers yell, “GO BIG OR GO HOME!” prior to standardized testing?

After that enthusiastic challenge, I said, “And, ….”  Dramatic pause….  “You’re going big, because there’s no going home.”

They chuckled, but they also settled down in their seats, as if going to battle.  

Were they victorious? 

Heck, yes!

In that first class alone, three of the workshop students gained as many as 10, 15, and 17 points, which is huge.  HUGE. 

When we got back to the classroom, we didn’t have much time left until the end of class.  One of the students, the 10 pointer, was still finishing up.  We rewarded the others with a snack.  I….  I decided to throw caution to the wind.  I asked my para if she’d mind staying with the kids for a few minutes and pulled the students who went up by 15 and 17 points.  Once in the hall, I told them we were going to tell the principal about their test scores and off we went. 

As an aside, I next to never send students to the office much less escort them there myself.  My marching into the office with two boys was, perhaps, a bit of a shock.

Into the principal’s office we walked, after I said, “Knock, knock,” at the door.

“I have two young men who have to see you.  Two boys you need to see,” I explained.

To say that the principal almost fell out of his chair when we walked in and I said that would be an understatement.  He even, literally, grabbed his head as if the world was about to end. 

“They weren’t naughty,” I added hastily. 

He looked at me as if I was off my rocker and asked, “They weren’t naughty?”

“No, they weren’t.  But, these boys did something and ….  Boys, go ahead.  Tell him what you just did.”

Silence ….  The boys looked at the principal.  The principal looked at me. 

The principal, looking queasy, said, “Go ahead, boys.  What did you do?”

“Ummm….  We just took our test ….”

“The NWEA,” I added.

“And, … ummmm … I went up by 17 points and he went up by 15.”

Thankfully, our principal has a sense of humor and is willing to play along, deciding to go big instead of home.  He praised the boys up and down, asked them questions, and told them they’d done a great job.  Then, he looked at me ….

“Well, ….” I said.  “The boys didn’t seem to be as excited as I thought they should be.  This is amazing!  I wanted to bring them down here and let them know how amazing this is and for you to be able to tell them they’re incredible.”

“Well, well … they are.”

I grabbed my head and said, “Academic wonderment!  Let’s go, boys!”

Then, off we went, marching back out of the office and down the hall.  I couldn’t help but notice the administrative assistant was laughing as we flew past her. 

After telling my parents this tale, my mother asked how the boys reacted. 

They took it in stride.   

That’s all I can say. 

No fists thrown in the air.  No smiles, though one had twinkly eyes.  No talk of being nervous or shocked that they’d done that well or …. 

It was as if it was simply … expected.

Throwing caution to the wind….

Giving pep talks, expecting the moon, and yelling like a coach at a homecoming game can lead to …

Victory … and … taking it in stride. 

Dichotomy? 

No, not so much.

Copyright 2013 -> Shannon