“You must be feeling pretty good about this,” I say.

Gwen is beaming.  “I do,” she says.  “Actually, I can’t believe it.”

“Did you think you’d be nailing this class when you walked in this room for the first time?”

“No, I didn’t.  I’ve always been bad at math and science.  This is the first time I’ve gotten better than a ‘C’ in any of my high school math or science classes.”

“I know.  I remember reading your letter from the first week.  So what do you think happened?  How is it that you are acing one test after another?”

“I’m not sure.  I’m just learning it.  My study group is a big part of it, I think.  We talk everything over, and when I don’t get it, there’s always someone who can explain it to me.”

“I’ve noticed that you have started explaining things to some of your study group partners yourself.  So it’s a two way street, no?”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“And looking at your contracts, it seems like you’re making good use of the optional work.  Do you find yourself doing busywork, practicing this much?”

“Absolutely not.  I’m just so glad to have things to practice.  Even when I think I’ve got it, I like to do one more round of practicing to be really sure I’ve got it.”

“And as a result, you are doing more than the minimum required number of items.  That’s a sign that you are taking the learning more seriously than the grade.  If you were only in it to get an ‘A’ on the contract, doing the minimum number would be good enough.

“Gwen, the truth is that you are really good at learning.  You steer yourself well, you take advantage of all the support you need, you work until you’ve mastered the material.  You definitely have earned this ‘A’.  Congratulations.”

“Thanks.  I feel like I’ve earned it.”

“You have.  Good work.”