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Post by con's fly is open on Jul 28, 2004 10:56:00 GMT 7
This is, perhaps, a moot point for those teaching at uni's, but for those in private school: what do you do for the special kids? You know, the very smart ones who speak better English than kids years older than them? The average and excellent students are well-served in class, the slow ones can be helped with a litle extra tutoring and homework, the unmotivated slide through the cracks, but the whiz kids... What can I do for mine? A special letter of recommendation? I try to find them extra material, but what's the best way to fasttrack them? The school has thought of scholarships, special commendations, et. al., but no solid plans ever result. Thoughts?  |
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Post by Raoul Duke on Jul 29, 2004 3:14:03 GMT 7
Public recognition of their abilities.
A special reception in their honor, their portraits on the walls of the school, special pins or t-shirts for the kids and their families to wear, a trophy for them to show off, a special announcement ad with their pictures in the local newspaper, a chance to show off on a local radio or TV station (you guys advertise your school somewhere, right?), and so on can be a very powerful way to reward exceptional performance. It works in business and it'll work here.
It lets the kids know they're doing something noteworthy and praiseworthy. It's good for the kids, good for the school (there's a strong potential for promotion in here if it's handled right), and good for you ("Hey, you idea not so bads, for stupid foreign!"). The parents will just eat it up. It might even motivate some other high-potential kids to a little more effort. Strongly recommended by Professor Raoul of the Management Faculty.
One caution: try to set up the selection process for the kids to be recognized so that the teachers have considerable or total control over the process. Otherwise it'll become The Kid With The Best-Connected Family Award.
If possible and appropriate, try to have the kid boosted to a higher-level class. It's a form of public recognition and has the added advantage of hopefully giving the kid a more challenging environment.
Scholarships/discounts (which can be given privately) are a good idea, too. You definitely want these kids associated with your school!
An awful lot of schools do nothing in this area at all- the owners/managers are too greedy to devote any time or money to it, and too obtuse and short-sighted to see any value in it. I've seen a lot of teachers give their own time and money to reach these special ones. You may have to do the same...
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