Teachers

[GSLeloo]

Ok due to a question someone brought up to me I want to ask... what do you think is a good quality for a teacher? No I don't mean the teacher who stands at the board and ignores the students, a teacher who actually inspires you and makes you learn.

One that just gives you an A.

- Arkans

[SpunGirl]

A teacher has to be able to strike a balance between relating to students on their level and maintaining an aura of semi-authority. If students like a teacher, they usually want their approval and will do well in their class.

I always did really well in classes where I hated the teacher, though, because I liked aggravating them and being a smartass, and then making them give me an A.

-K

[Artha]

Have to be able to take a joke.

[Betheny]

My favorite teacher actually gave a damn.

He knew I was fucking up, but instead of getting me in trouble, he gave me something better to do. I skipped class because I was having problems with a kid in class, and he got me a 'job' helping him out that hour -- got me out of that class -- and I still got credit. I started doing drugs, he started getting me into after school activities.

[GSLeloo]

So say you knew someone who was not well liked... most of the people who knew him got in a fight with him. Would you say this is the type of personality that is good for a teacher to have?

[SpunGirl]

I don't think you can really judge a person's aptitude to be a teacher based on how they interact with their peers. That said, if he doesn't get along with people because he's like, an abrasive idiot, then he shouldn't be a teacher. Teachers should not be mean-spiritied, overly sarcastic, or convinced of their own superiority.

-K

[xtc]

I think

A. Someone who really wants to be a teacher and has a calling for it. In Canada there are too many dipshit teachers who didn't know what else to do with their BA in Sociololgy so they became teachers.

B. Intelligence especially in the maths. I know too many math teachers who don't understand the math they are teaching. My best math teachers were Engineers.

C. Someone who cares and isn't running out the door when school is finished. There are many kids who need caring and attention in order to succeed.

D. In America teachers get crappy pay, being a capitalist I believe most times you get what you pay for. Teachers salaries in America are long overdue for a raise.

E. Teachers who love the subject they teach. If they have passion for what they are teaching it will catch on.

F. Scrap the unions like all unions they allow the crap to hide. A merit based pay system like the real world works best.

Yes I know I have strayed off topic a bit.

[Edited on 10-5-2004 by xtc]

Must like what they're teaching, must be coherent, must be able to take a joke and depending on class age, spew a few age-appropriate jokes as well.
Make the subject they are teaching interesting by using a plethora of funky diagrams, figures, set problems.

Must like science and philosophy. :shibby:

[Latrinsorm]

Know what they're talking about.
Enjoy and care about kids learning.
Humor is good, but not necessary.
Teach more than "Chemistry" or "Math".

[Wezas]

1. Sense of Humor

2. Ability to go off-topic - yet have it relate in some way to the subject.

3. Keep the students interest.

4. Don't single people out if they obviously don't want to be.


That last one is personal. Freshman year I had this horrible bitch of an English teacher who would put me front and center of the room and constantly call on me more then anyone else. And she knew I hated it. I passed the class with a D.

They tried to give me her for 11th grade English as well. I talked with my mom (who heard me bitch about her all through my freshman year) and she set up a meeting w/ the Principal. I got moved into a different class.

Of course I failed that class because I was trippin' most of my Jr. year - but that's beside the point.

[Amaron]

Can a teacher join in?

I will pose this question in addition to Leloo's

All you teachers... WHY do you teach?


I am a musician. I perform professionally in my area in orchestras and musical pits and jazz ensembles....

I love music. I had shit for music education. I learned a lot on my own and my own love pushed me to be the best I could.

I wanted to give kids what I did not have.

I teach 7 & 8 general music and chorus in a Pennsylvania public school.

I love having fun with the kids while they learn... I love when my special chorus asked to go out and sing in the public because they love what we are doing and want to share it.

I do not mind staying after school to do a musical ( first time I am doing one ever at the middle school level this year).

I help direct our high school marching band and give up a good portion of my summers to help the kids put on the best field show they can...

I love my job and I love my kids ( yes I call them my kids). I am the person they come talk to about troubles. I am the boyfriend hates me listener.. the I am failing math please come with me when I tell my mom person...I spend more time with these kids than their parents do a lot of the time. They become my kids.

****************

Now to answer Leloo question a bit.... in a backwards way.


Do I get angry with my kids? yes
Are there days that the call me a bitch behind my back? yes
Do parents call and bitch at me? yes
Do I disagree wtih my principal at times? yes
Are their days I have had enough and want to turn my back and run out the door and go home to my own family instead of rescuing someone elses? yes

Are their days I just want to say I do not care? yes
Is there always that same boy in the back of my music class writing music sucks all over his books and being a constant problem? yes

Is there always that girl who refuses to participate and says I suck no matter what I do? yes

Am I just having a bad year? sure it has happened.

Does this make me a bad teacher? It makes me human

I do not think as a parent I could ever judge a teacher... we all teach in our own ways.. and we all have moments when we shine and moments when we suck

I also remember the math teacher I hated and swore I learned nothing from... the discipline she taught me was one of the most valuable ones I ever learned.


Ok I rambled and wandered off the path sorry.

J

[Edited on 10-5-2004 by Amaron]

[Edited on 10-5-2004 by Amaron]

[DeV]

Must have a fundemental understanding of what they are teaching and understand that students learn at different levels and be able to switch their styles up if needed.
Should be willing to listen to the student and teach in ways they know the students will want to learn and participate willingly.
Shouldn't have an aire of superiority or cockiness when it comes to the subject they are teaching.
Must be open and willing to sometimes "learn" new ways of teaching.
It doesn't hurt for a good teacher to be able to relax around their students yet still demand respect for the job they must perform and get that respect.
Also, a good teacher shouldn't allow themselves to be intimidated by a student or their parents.
It also doesn't hurt to have some sort of a sense of humor.