I believe I have mentioned that I am a teacher, but just in case I am a high school teacher. That could explain the need to blog and vent! So today I hear through the good ol' high school grape vine, that I am a mean teacher. This really bothers me. Not that it should because I don't believe I am mean. I do have exacting standards and I work to get my students to achieve those standards. However many make the CHOICE to do otherwise, and as much as I try those students tend to be counterproductive to my goal of getting the very best out of children. So in short they tend to fail themselves by not trying. So today two of my students from last semester, who did not pass, were in a different classroom discussing my "meanness". Yea... as if there aren't other topics of discussion.
So I look up mean. Here is what I got from Merriam-Webster:
1 a : to have in the mind as a purpose : intend —sometimes used interjectionally with I, chiefly in informal speech for emphasis or to introduce a phrase restating the point of a preceding phrase b : to design for or destine to a specified purpose or future
2 : to serve or intend to convey, show, or indicate : signify
3 : to have importance to the degree of
4 : to direct to a particular individual
I gotta say it makes me feel better. It validates that what I am asking them to do isn't unrealistic or too demanding. Since when is demanding someone's best a sign of meaness. Well according to Merriam-Webster it isn't a bad thing!! Thanks M-W... I needed that! I can wear my mean-ness with pride.
