And I'm the last person who easily submits to arbitrary authority. Even here at DU, where I'm the Lone Wolf whose loyalty is invested in principles, not party.
I've paid the price for that again and again, professionally and in my personal life. For the most part, it's been worth the damage done, but sometimes, you have to submit.
For example, whether or not I think the tax structure is fair, I submit my return and any taxes owed no later than April 15th.
Whether or not I think the fucking tests are a measure of learning or not, I sit in meetings and crunch the data; if I didn't, someone else would be doing it, and my students would lose a teacher that has their back in this system to the extent I'm allowed.
Whether or not I think I ought to come to a full stop at that sign on a rural road, when I'm the only vehicle for miles in any direction except for the cop who ticketed me, I'm going to pay the fine for the rolling stop.
My son COULD have spent his time more productively, although, at that age, he would have been more likely to spend it playing video games, given the choice.
While he was growing up, I WAS a librarian, lol. He spent a few hours a day in my library, and is better read than most of his generation, with the exception of his brother. Who did his homework in a separate spot, because the paperwork was done quickly, and most of his "homework" time was spent practicing on his trumpet.
Gifted students come in all types. Some of them are driven, type "A" personalities who are going to be learning something no matter what. Some of them are not. Gifted kids come with the same social issues that drive the rest of the population of adolescents, often exacerbated by their typically asynchronous development.
That's why I don't give busy work; every student has to dig deep to accomplish most of my assignments, and those assignments are usually customized to need. When it comes to something that needs to be memorized, I teach them ways to study that will accomplish that goal in the least time possible.
I really don't think I'm an anomaly. Teachers, like people, are all different; but, in 30 years across 2 states and large and small districts, the vast majority I've worked with don't assign things without a good reason. The era of one-size-fits all in instruction that I grew up with has been gone for a long time. Even having been educated through it, I got a great education.
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