For many years I worked with a colleague that had a story for every scenario related to students. Whenever I would start to speak impatiently about one of my students; he would take a deep breath and say, “well Rick, have you ever tried to grow tomatoes?” The first few times he started down this road, I would hesitantly tell him no, and wonder where this was going. In time, I realized it did not matter whether I answered yes or no, he was going to use the metaphor of growing tomatoes to teach me a lesson.
The lesson went like this; essentially when one grows tomatoes, there are only so many variables that are within control of the grower. One could prepare the soil, one could water the plant, one could try to regulate the amount of sun the plant received; but no matter how talented a farmer, no individual that raises a tomato can make the tomato grow or ripen on command. Quite simply, it takes time for the tomato to grow and ripen when it is ready. The farmer can create optimal conditions, but in the end, the tomato will become ripe when it is ready.
After a few years of working with this colleague, I knew when the story was coming and the point he was trying to make. Teaching students was akin to growing tomatoes, and that at best, I could only control the growing conditions. It took time and patience to allow the student to reach their full potential.
This Thursday, I hope that you will be joining us for Parents’ Night, when we will share what we do in your child’s classes. We will make clear our practices for creating optimal conditions of growth, and our expectations. In the end, however, we know that it will require patience and communication to monitor just what each one of our students will need to reach their full potential. In time, each of our students will grow a great deal at BHS, and just like a garden full of tomato plants, blossom and grow in their own way and in their own time. Like any good farmer (or teacher), we will monitor that progress regularly and take the steps necessary for optimal growth.
I look forward to seeing you all later this week.