by Dr. Tureka Louis
In education, our most valuable skills are effective assessment and data interpretation. We teach, test mastery, interpret data, then do it again. In the classroom, the most effective educators use these skills expertly to bridge gaps between what a student knows and what he or she needs to know to be successful. We can use these skills beyond academia to create an optimal living environment that connects us to others and helps us to live our best lives. Here are a few tips to help us excel in life’s assessments:
Pay attention. When we assess, we are checking for mastery of what has been taught. To learn what is taught, we have to pay attention. Embrace the habit of being a constantly observant learner. Look for what life is trying to teach you in obscure places. Always remember the best teachers are good students, and our own students can provide us with a wealth of information if we listen. Example: Are you in a situation you’ve been in before? What is the lesson life is trying to teach you? If you don’t know, ask…prayer and meditation work. Take notes. Don’t just let life pass you by, take notes. Pretend every hidden lesson in every moment is going to be “on the test.” What might you do differently? Live every moment like it is the most important moment of your life. Then you won’t waste a single one. Example: Journal your reflections each night. Take notes in meetings. Don’t let important things pass you by without paying attention. Study and review. Remember to reflect on what you’ve learned throughout each day. It will make you a better student in life. Example: Take a moment to meditate and reflect on your day. Your journals or your notes can be quite helpful here. How will you apply what you’ve learned? What worked and what will you do differently tomorrow? Review and properly interpret the data. After you are assessed, take a moment to look at your grade. Make sure you interpret it properly. Example: Evaluate your relationships. Everyone who doesn’t like you isn’t right about you. HOWEVER, that doesn’t mean that everything they say is wrong either. What is your truth? What can you learn?
Being a lifelong learner is about finding the lessons in unusual places and applying them masterfully with love.
Dr. Tureka Louis is an educator of more than 13 years. She has worked with the Department of Defense, the State of Georgia, and several Fortune 500 businesses. She is currently a math intervention teacher at Campbell Middle School in Daytona Beach, FL.