What does high expectations really mean?

Is it possible that I was the only teacher in the world that was confused about what it means to have high expectations?  I always felt that what one would expect, was a natural reaction that could not be helped.  For example, if I saw that the sky was cloudy, I would expect it to rain.  Or if I ran around outside on the pavement without shoes in the summer, I would expect my feet to burn.  I wrote this post to possibly help others that are confused about having high expectations for students like I was.

Let me back up for one moment.  It seems like the key to being successful in the teaching world is to have high expectations of your students' abilities.  Principal after principal, and book after book would say that your students will not perform proficiently unless you have high expectations for them.  I must admit that I would nod my head and pretend I understood what they meant by this.  I must say that out of everything I have done, the concept of expecting greatness out of my students always left me scratching my head.  

The whole argument is that when you expect that your students will achieve greatness then they will.  Then my thoughts would lead to, "If I expect my dog to 'meow' and I really believe that, will he?"  Or if I expect my pet goldfish to learn trigonometry, will he?  The whole concept of high expectations really confused me to no end.  Like I stated above, I had always believed that this was just a natural reaction and could not be controlled.  

Now I am going into my fifth year of teaching and my confidence with my abilities is greater than ever; I think I am starting to understand what this business of high expectations is all about.  I started with the following questions...

1. Do I believe that every child can achieve greatness?  Yes, I do.
2. Do I believe that every child can learn my content area (4th grade math)?  Yes, I do given that I have enough time to work with these children.

That is when I had a light bulb moment after four years as a classroom teacher.  I HAVE TO BELIEVE IN MYSELF!  I need to have high expectations for myself before I can have high expectations for my students.  

So now, after I have gotten my feet wet in this profession and am not so "green" I am confident that I can teach my students anything.  However, I cannot go into my classroom on the first day of school and just "expect" my babies to achieve greatness without proper planning. I need to plan EVERYTHING and treat each child as if they all have an IEP (Individual Education Program). I need to really focus on my students' unique personalities and learning styles in order for each one to be successful.  

I need to have interventions included in my lesson plans and not allow my students to fail. I plan to tell them, "I will not leave you alone until you get this concept."  

I plan to keep accurate records of each child and what they have mastered and not mastered.  The students that have not mastered a skill or skills, will have interventions with me during silent reading time, during their activity time, practice computer games, or whatever I have to do to get that child to mastery.  I know what I am capable of, so therefore I know that every child I am responsible for can achieve anything I want them to.  (Some students may require more work than others, but they can still do it!)    

In summary, I realized that in order for me to have high expectations for my students, I need to trust in my own abilities to make these children learn.  I hope my little rant was helpful.

Since you were so wonderful to read all of this, I am including a free Individual Education Program template for you.  Create one for every child and really know each baby inside and out so you will know what you need to do to reach them.  
(For example, does Johnny have a person at home that can help them with his homework?  If not, you might want to allow Johnny some time with you or a peer tutor to complete his homework.)

I know this will take some time, but it will be completely worth it!