Published: July 24, 2007

Getting Ready for the School Year: Part I

The Mentor

Coleen Armstrong taught secondary school for 31 years in Hamilton, Ohio. She hosted a TV talk-show that covered education issues from 1990-1999 and in 2002, co-authored

In preparation for their new classes, some teachers read about every child to get the “scoop.” Some take notes on their rosters to remind them of the issues. Some wait until they have met each child before reading about them. And some never read a file until there is an issue. What is your advice? Should teachers research their students before they meet them?

While there’s a lot to be said for not prejudicing yourself in advance, I know I’d be irresistibly curious. So yes, I’d give those notes a brief scan––and then put them...