One of the most remarkable things happened in class today.  I made an assumption about a student and it led to ridiculousness on my part.

We were to grade a paper.  As a class, we gave our grades and I learned I have a pretty good assessment of grading papers, as I gave the grade a 'C+' which is what the majority of the class did, too.  However, because of the way it was written and because of my own experience, I assumed the age and class of the student, thinking only of my own personal experience and jumped to all kinds of conclusions.

Granted, if I saw the student, I could better assess their age.  However, just them speaking in class and handing in work does not make me the expert on their story and current situation.  I learned a great deal from this exercise, as I believe compassion is the utmost important thing in a teacher/student relationship.  If there is not compassion, there is no transmission of truth.  Trust will be broken and I believe most students will shutdown to an instructor without compassion and just work to please; not to learn, as they walk on eggshells.

It's important for me to know my students and not make assumptions based on their work.  Although I made a mistake in class, I learned a powerful lesson and I know in my mistakes is where I gain the most.