Cristine's response to Oct 7 2011 -Choosing Between Groups of Students

Rob, the situation of your discomfort crosses my mind every time I am at my placement. I fear that I continuously say "good job on your art" or "great job on your math today" to those who normally do well and those who are on the contrary don't get much attention. At my placement school they have a virtue assembly every month. Every month the school focuses on a virtue and a child from every class receives an award for illustrating that virtue. Furthermore, other awards are given, such as "the most improved student". Two students from each class get an award every month of the school year, which I think provides a lot of opportunity.

In your case, however, it's a little more complicted. I always wondered what the award is based on? Is it just that they achieved the highest mark? Most improved? Although the student with the highest mark in the subject well deserves the award I feel that it shouldn't always be based on highest marks. This may discourage some of the students, especially those who just can't seem to do well. This is a tough situation. I try hard to acknowledge every student in my placement class, but, it is hard. However, I know that it makes all the difference, especially those who struggle.

I remember when I graduated from elementary school, there were many awards given- I didn't recieve one. Many of my friends did though and it wasn't that I did badly in school, I just didn't recieve the highest mark. I was kind of upset by it. My teacher actually briefly talked to me about it and asked me how I felt. She explanined that she was just as proud of me, but, she had limited awards. Her sincere conversation made me feel a ot better

 As a teacher I think we know the students that may feel bad about recieving an award and a simple motivational conversation might bring the studnent self-esteem back up. After all, it may not be about them feeling upset, for the most part students know when they deserve something and when they don't. Furthermore, maybe it's just that they feel as you do, except that they feel uncomfortable about not getting an award just as you feel not giving them one. There are plenty of ways for teachers to honour their students. You may just want to have a conversation before the award assembly stating that awards will be given and some students will get on and others won't and that's okay because you're proud of the hard work they have done all year. Schools should really change the awards process- they should be peer voted just like the valedictorians are chosen!