The Education of Ms. Groves

March  22, 2005
Eight weeks before the end of the school year.

Monica Groves (in class): My goal is to not raise my voice once to you. Not once...

Monica is a teacher intent on learning from her mistakes.

Monica Groves:  I realized that first semester, the kids knew that, “Oh, if we just kinda do this and get disrupted, the whole lesson’s gonna stop" and Ms. Groves is just going to talk about behaving.

Monica has made significant changes in the way she instructs her students. Now, if you misbehave in Ms. Groves’ class, expect your parents to get a phone call.

Groves: If you miss a homework assignment, expect your name to go on a special chart and your grade on another...for all eyes to see. I will post your percentage. You will be able to see, “Have I kept my high grade or am I losing my high grade?"

Groves: I realized, number one, tracking is not only good for me, but it’s good for the students. I see them motivated. I see them running over the check their grade. And they seem like they have a reason to work.

Ms. Groves will be tough on you. But if you work hard, if you try to reach your potential, you can expect to hear the praise.

You can expect to feel the love... and see the pride in your teacher’s eyes.

It is quiet in Monica’s class. And paving the way to silence — a journey seven months in the making — has been exhausting.

Groves: That’s an obstacle that I didn’t think would be so major, is just the energy and the discipline it takes as a teacher to come in every day and put on a consistent face...

Kotb: Mrs. Kamminga.

Groves: Yeah, Ms. Kamminga, my first-grade teacher.

Kotb: Right, I mean you said that she was very consistent. You always knew.

Groves: Extremely, extremely consistent.

Principal Kenner is observing Monica.

Principal Kenner: Your countdown method, the 5-4-3-2-1, they responded to that. I think those are great interventions that do not conflict and take away from instruction and I commend you because again I know that is a tough group.

Judging by the results of the standardized state exam that Monica’s students took in the spring, Monica still has a long way to go. Although on par with the achievement of previous years, they are below what Monica and her school expect.

Groves (in class): Right now we have 48 percent of our team at a “B” or above.

But despite all the setbacks, Monica has not given up on her goal of guiding 80 percent of her students to a final grade of “B” or above... and she challenges her students to believe that they can achieve it.

This is Mayah’s goal. If she fails Monica’s class, she might have to repeat sixth grade. Drew is aiming higher. To stay on track for the gifted program he needs an “a.” and Stephen...he’s quietly determined to make the honor roll.

The first step: Complete all of homework assignments including the last major book report of the year. Fewer than half of Monica’s students handed it in last semester...

And most important: the final exam. Just before it Monica gives her students a pep talk.

Groves: Listen to what I’m saying, when we grade that test, every single one of you will have 100%.

More than half of Monica’s student got a “D” or worse on the last one...has Monica done enough this time to help them pass?

Groves: I don’t wanna look back and be like, “Oh my first batch of kids. Oh man, I messed them up?” You know, I do not want to look at those test scores and feel failure. Especially because I’m doing my very best. You know, the reality that my best may not have been good enough... is scary.

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The Education of Ms. Groves A classroom as fascinating TV? Producer: Chronicling Monica's journey Meet Ms. Groves' students The principal's point of view Mrs. Kamminga, Monica's inspiration and 1st grade teacher The Education of Ms. Groves Section Front   Add The Education of Ms. Groves headlines to your news reader: