A thought from 2012 (Still worth thinking): When you ask a student how good they want to be, you not only help them define their academic path, you establish expectations between them and you as their teacher. If a student wants to be the best ever, then you have implicit permission to challenge them at every turn to help them realize that goal. If they are merely curious about a subject, then throwing down the gauntlet could turn them away from it forever. We need to ask this question more often and respect the students' responses.

Comments

[Rhonda]

Agree. Guidance is what most young folks want and encouragement... my younger son wanted to be a garbage man because the hours were good, to being a playboy photographer (no explanation needed there) to wanting to work outdoors at a nice paying job...I encouraged the latter only.