9:00 a.m. || 2005-12-07
aghhhhhhhgggggggggg
Yo
So I went to the school yesterday where I'm going for interview tomorrow to check out there software on the whiteboard as it's different from the standard school stuff. I really enjoyed it. The head came and spent time with me and helped me sort out my stuff...she is really nice. I met the teacher who will be job sharing...she is also lovely. While I was there we were talking about interview questions and all she said is...think about what makes an effective teacher...so here I am to thrash it out, (probably in an unorganised, sticking things down in any order they come into my head way), to see if what I think a teacher is is actually effective. Any teachers readingt this who think I've completely missed the boat...please tell me...or anyone else for that matter. Or if you have any addition/suggestions etc. (Please don't say an effective teacher has to be able to spell and use grammer correctly cos I've failed on that one)
An effective teacher is someone who puts the needs of the children first, who gets down onto their level, builds on their experiences, finding out their ideas and what they think. AN effective teacher understands that children come to school with an amazing wealth of experience and that unless you start from where they are, you will get nowhere.
An effective teacher does not create little robots who soak up information, rather they facilitate learning, involving the children in the process, encouraging them to become independent thinkers. They create an environment where children are allowed to question what is being said, they have to reflect on what has taken place, review their own progress and think about what they want and where they want to be. Effective teachers value all answers and create a place where children are not afraid to ask for help and are not afraid to 'have a go' even if they are unsure.
An effective teacher values all children. They reward and praise achievement and always encourage them to improve. They have high expectations and set challenging yet achievable goals. They are aware that children have strengths in different areas and that talents need to be encouraged. They understand that children learn in different ways and that different teaching strategies need to be used. Children learn at different paces. Lessons need to be paced to hold children's attention.
An effective teacher educates the 'whole child' and looks at their personal, social, emotional, spiritual needs as well as their learning needs.
Lessons have purpose and meaning, expectations are clear.They want to create strong, confident characters who will be able to sustain a decent quality of life in adulthood.
An effective teacher establishes sustainable routines that the children are aware of/involved in. They provide a broad and balanced curriculum. They assess constantly and USE the assessment to inform future planning.
An effective teacher has a life outside of school to maintain their own sanity, strenghth and ability to function. They evaluate the balance in their own lives and know when enough is enough.
They keep up to date on research, seek continuing proffessional development and always evaluate their own practice. They are flexible and open to change, willing to listen to others and take on board new ideas. They are aware that learning can take place spontaneously outside that which has been planned for. They are inclusive of all children no matter what their ability/disability ethnic background, gender. They are aware of stereotyping and how it can limit children's potential and do whatever possible to stop this from happening.
They are fun, creative and silly and think like a child but bring the experiences of an adult.
I'm bound to have missed the blazingly obvious here. But...this is what I think a teacher is. I'm not saying that I am all of these things...They're just what I want to be when I am in school. I know that this is ideological and when it comes to life all of this is not possible all of the time.
ooh they are patient too ( I need help with that one)
okay going to go research gender and achievement, assessment for learning and the benefits of speaking and listening.
oh joy!
*HUGS* TOTAL! give Leesmry more *HUGS*
Get hugs of your own