Teacher: Stroking Egos Does Nothing for Students. Raising Expectations Does.

Substitute teacher, Andy McCain, helps first grade students. BOULDER,CO. ON MAY 24TH 2004. Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Armed with a bachelor of science in elementary education, I charged into my career as a teacher. I was immediately exposed to students at three levels of public schools:

1. A rather wealthy district with an average IQ of 120.

2. A classic, middle-class school.