Just wondering if it’s me and my computer. Intrigued by the request, thought I’d try (a couple hundred times) to access the link (above) and write, but the screen just splits and I can’t figure it out. Hmmmmmm.
Anyway, “Send us your message about what qualities make a good teacher.”?
Qualities of a good teacher, in my humble opinion, someone:
- who’s core belief is to reach and teach children.
- who believes enough in themselves and their abilities to hold fast to their commitment to teach and stay out of politics.
- who can reach students and encourage, coax, inspire… each child to want to do their best. To explore and stretch their minds to try and not fear failure.
- who’s goal is to make a positive impact on their students.
- who considers the child’s welfare paramount over beaurocratic policies and parental shenanigans.
- who can see that all children do not learn the same way, and can adapt or modify their teaching skills to the child instead of trying to force the square peg in the standardized round hole; (and, if not, have the courage to help the child find an environment where the child can learn).
- who recognizes when they are burned out and takes a break, vs. someone who is burned out and wastes valuable, irretreavable (sp?) learning time for their students.
- who doesn’t “know it all” and can still learn things.
- who loves to teach.
I suppose this list could go on and on, leaving room for others…
Andy
Moderator: May we reply in this thread instead of e-mail?
Andy,
Your post was positively poetic!
A good teacher “sees” a child, not a label, not the shadow of an older sibling he or she may have dealt with. The good teacher sees a bundle of strengths, weaknesses, hopes, fears, and dreams and tries to address the whole, not the parts.
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Re: Send us your message about what qualities make a good te
a TEACHER is a person who never says ‘you’ll never, you can’t you won’t be able to do that’. A TEACHER says ‘TRY — it may be hard, but YOU CAN DO ANYTHING you set your mind to!’
When my son was 2.5, he announced he wanted to be a Claymation Animator. Since then, he has added goals of cartoonist/comic book writer, and plans to do science experiments in his spare time. (for fun!)
I support these goals fully. Yes, at 18, he may realize that he is not yet Nelvana or Disney material, and will work at a regular job while developing his talents as a hobbyist — but WHY would I fill him in on that sort of reality at age 9? Besides, who made me omnipotent?
Dad, that was so well said…
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What Makes A Good (Great) Teacher
I believe a good teacher asks themselves as they prepare each and every lesson, “How is this lesson going to affect my students’ achievement?”
After my husband went through the rigorous National Professional Teacher’s Board Certification process, and aligned his teaching with their stringent standards, I saw his teaching go from “good” to “great”. Too many teachers throw together what we call “fruit salad” lessons, that don’t affect student achievement at all; just fill up time. Now I get really aggravated when our children’s teachers just waste time on busy work or lessons that are deceitfully void of any true learning (lessons that look or sound good, but are essentially meaningless). One seventh grade social studies teacher in my husband’s building had his students practice endlessly (for several days) to hold colored placards above their heads so that they could be photographed from above arranged in the shape of an American flag after 9/11/2001. Sure, this sounds good and patriotic and all that, but what good does it do for student achievement? Nothing. Great, the kid can hold a colored card over his/her head. There are plenty of lessons that could have been utilized to explore the American Spirit, Patriotism, or even the history of the American Flag. But this teacher got his mug in the district newsletter, accompanied by an article complimenting him on this amazing feat (ridiculous exercise).
A good teacher asks him/herself constantly, “What am I doing to actually teach anything truly valuable?”
jao
Oops! It’s a glitch. Sorry, it’s fixed now.
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