FOR DISCUSSION: Effective teachers must...
Read the following class comment and respond to at least one of the questions that follow.
Your response will go in the threaded comments section.
Following each class, you will be given multiple prompts to respond to each week.
The comment(s):
Effective teachers must exhibit organizational skills, a high level of self-confidence, and awareness of student perceptions.
The question(s):
1. How would you define an effective teacher?
2. What are good organizational skills? How does an effective teacher exhibit organizational skills?
3. How would you define self-confidence? How does an effective teacher manifest a high lever of self-confidence?
4. What are student perceptions? How are they defined and identified in a classroom environment? Why are they important to the teacher?
Good organizational skills means not hoarding anything. I've known teachers where things are piled up in every space possible- bathroom shelves, tables, floor, closets filed to the doorway: one hot mess. Not only is hoarding a hazardous environment, it also creates a jumbled mind for the teacher. It's important to be zen about classroom settings in that if you have a clean, well-kept, non-cluttered classroom, the teacher's mind will be in less disarray, which will make her a more effective teacher. Assigned seats, desk placement, amount of images on the walls, and placement of supplies is all integral to being an effective teacher and having good organizational skills.
ReplyDeleteIt is tough to define an effective teacher, but in my opinion, an effective teacher is someone who manages to teach their students something new each day. They also have to be well organized to keep the learning enviornment running smoothly. An effective teacher shows that they care for the students and demonstrate a high level of confidence. They teacher should be confident in their ability to teach.
ReplyDeleteThere are probably many variations of effective teachers, and in my opinion, no two will be alike. Although, all effective teachers probably share traits. Effective teachers are the ones who can meaningfully engage the students on a daily basis. Their day is planned, but not scripted. Room is left for conversation and discussion about relevant, and sometimes not so relevant topics. The students leave the classroom having picked up key information that they will carry on for years, not just facts for a test. As cliché as it may seem, effective teachers leave a lasting impression on students. Their passion for teaching and the desire to improve society is reflected in the students that have been lucky enough to be in their classroom.
ReplyDeleteTo me, an effective teacher is one that motivates and inspires her/his students. They take the time to get o know them and help them develop in ways beyond just test scores. They are a role model for the students, and make their content area a fun one for their students. They take the act of teaching, and make the students more engaged and have them wanting to learn more about it. They have control over their classromm, but the students still respect them. They are well organized and know roughly what the goals for their students are for the day.
ReplyDeleteHannah Thornblom
Organizational skills in the classroom is from the aspect of the classroom as well as the schedule and expectations of the class as a whole. i find it very helpful when teachers hand out rubrics for each project and also when previous lectures and assignments are available online which also promotes the use of technology.
ReplyDelete1. An effective teacher has great classroom management, has every activity planned yet is extremely flexible, can control his or her emotions, and knows the instructed material well enough to teach it. They also most importantly have to want to be there. I worked at a daycare for three years, and many teachers said these children can tell when someone does not want to be here. They know when you do not care. The teacher needs to give students vibes that he or her do want to be there to teach them.
ReplyDeleteAn effective teacher will vary by the needs of students. Though needs will change how teachers remain effective, most teachers who are "effective" share certain qualities. In my opinion, a level of organization and planning will lead to success though flexibility is necessary because circumstances will arise and change even the most planned lesson. An effective teacher must be able to empathize with students and make accommodations that may lead to students feeling more secure. They must also be knowledgable and willing to find information for students when they don't have the answers students seek.
ReplyDeleteAn effective teacher must be well organized in class management, keeping the students engaged at all times , reinforcing classroom etiquette, maintaining a system for classwork turn in and pick up, having a connection with the students so that there is a sense of respect on both sides.
ReplyDelete#2
ReplyDeleteKeen organizational skills are key for an effective teacher. In chapter two of the textbook, Kellough nd Kellough highlight the importance of a structured classroom. They explain that an effective teacher should, “Attend to the organization of the classroom as a learning laboratory to establish a positive, safe, and efficient environment for student learning” (62). I believe that good organizational skills include being prompt and prepared as the teacher, clearly defining student expectations and learning objectives, and having a well-structured learning environment.
#4
Student perceptions are the ways in which students view themselves as thinkers and learners. Often, students’ perceptions are analogous to the perceptions that the teacher holds. Kellough and Ekllough make this point clear: “Unless you believe your students can learn, they will not” (110). In the classroom environment it is essential that students are motivated to do their best and that the best is expected from each student. I remember that a principal I once worked with had a poster that read, “Children will rise to the expectations of the person in charge.” I believe that his is a great way to explain student perceptions and why they are important to the teacher. As a teacher, how we perceive our students greatly affects they way they perceive themselves.
#2
ReplyDeleteAn effective teacher must always have their lesson thought out and developed ahead of time, and should not create them in the class on the fly. Already developed plans should always be tailored to a classes individual needs and should make every effort to affirm various cultures, instead of only the dominant culture. Working with other teachers in the school to have a uniform curriculum is also an essential component of the modern classroom. Past lessons should be tweaked to improve upon what worked well last time, as well as altering what did not work out well. Also every class is different and teachers should modify their lessons to find out what works best in for that group of learners.
An effective teacher is one who takes into consideration the backgrounds, personalities and abilities of their students. They are compassionate without being a doormat. They are open to suggestions from their students about methods they feel will help them learn. They also make themselves available to students when they need help and they are slow to make judgments about their students. An effective teacher is able to convey their lesson in a short concise fashion. An effective teacher would have their lesson plans prepared beforehand but is also ready if that lesson needs adjusting or the class needs reviewing of the previous class day. Finally, I think an effective teacher should be able to adjust accordingly to each of their different classes.
ReplyDelete3. Self-confidence is simply thinking highly of yourself and believing in your ability to perform whatever you need to perform, and I too believe this is a great aspect of an effective teacher. A teacher has to have self-confidence in their knowledge of their content. English was always my favorite subject in school and I have always been an avid reader and writer; therefore, when it comes to the content I want to teach I do have a high self-confidence in my ability to analyze and discuss any piece of literature. It also seems that students respond well to teachers they believe know what they are talking about. Students will respect the teacher that seems to know and love what they teach. I believe this self-confidence just comes from having a passion for your content and for teaching.
ReplyDelete