Getting to getting it
"After two years in this class, I finally get it!" (It wasn't two years in the same course. It has been two consecutive years of AP English. But for most of us, it does often feel like one long (and wonderful) class together.) My heart leaped up more than a little as I heard that exclamation from across the room where I was returning another student's essay. "What is it you finally get?" "Writing! My essays! How to make them better! I have been trying to get a 6 on an essay for two years. And I finally did it! Now I want to get another one!" (Generally, I avoid exclamation marks, but given the level of excitement accompanying these staccato declarations, even more exclamation marks may be called for.) There was so much about this student reflected in this short exchange: -A desire to succeed, to grow, to reach the next level of development -Grit and perseverance - two years (even two school years) is a long time to keep at somet...