Education is Energy!
January 27, 2010
Savvy teachers are keenly aware of the role that emotion plays in the educational process. Using emotion to involve students is not difficult when students are given “something” to be emotional about. Teachers, for example, who lack passion and curiosity often leave students bored and uninspired, which are among the primary reasons why students drop out of school.
However, passion and curiosity are not enough to insure that students are engaged and paying attention, instructors must also:
- Inspire students to get excited about their future.
- Clearly define the class’s objectives and strategies.
- Discuss the role that respect plays in the educational process.
- Present the material within a context that entices students to learn.
- Teach students the mechanics of self-esteem.
- Ask open ended questions that require a thought process.
- Recognize accomplishments as they occur.
Connecting, building emotional bridges creates a safe place for students to explore, what is in their heart, which will serve them for the rest of their life. To learn more about this unique style of class management, log on to www.coachmerich.com and click on “Workshops.”
What is a Good Teacher?
January 27, 2010
With a third of this nations high school students dropping out of school each year, both federal and state governments are searching for ways to fix the leak. Identifying “good teachers” is high on the repair list, which raises a question.
What is a good teacher? Depending upon who you talk to i.e. students, parents and administrators, the definition will vary. When Googling, for example, “What is a good teacher,” I came upon an article entitled, “What is a good Teacher,” by Catherine Taylor, Lagos who said,
Good teachers:
- See each student as an individual with hopes and dreams
- Know their students on many levels e.g. strengths and weaknesses
- Promote self esteem
- Allow students to know them
- Value the parent/teacher relationship
- Put themselves in the shoes of the student
- Are not afraid to try new things
- Make learning exciting
- Networks with other teachers about “what works.”
Most would agree a “good teacher” values these qualities, which raises another question. Are teachers communicating their values? This is where leadership comes in.
A “good” military leader, for example, will communicate the order of battle and the manner in which it is to occur. Good teachers do much the same by making students aware of what they value.
Number seven says, “Not afraid to try new things.” Would you like to learn about a new style of class management that enables students to be…
- Aware of the factors that move a class forward and those that hold it back?
- Mentally present?
- Conscious of their choices?
- In harmony with their studies?
If the answer is yes, then I invite you to log on to www.coachmerich.com and click on “Workshops” to learn more.