When A Isn’t Enough: The Perfectionist Student Dilemma

Have you ever found yourself caught in the crossfire of a grade debate, wondering if you’re the villain in your own classroom? That’s me, a high school English teacher in a bustling, high-achieving city school, where students chase 100% like it’s the Holy Grail. Just yesterday, a student—already accepted to college!—cornered me during my lunch, demanding to know why her essay only earned a 90%. I offer endless revision opportunities, detailed feedback, and still, anything less than perfection is seen as a personal affront. I can’t help but wonder: Is my commitment to growth and revision feeding this frenzy? Or is there something deeper at play in our culture of achievement? Maybe you’ve felt this too. Let’s swap stories and solutions—how do you balance high standards with student sanity? Drop your thoughts below and set me straight! 🤔😅 #Education #TeachingLife #StudentPerfectionism