Being a Good Teacher

What about the No Child Left Behind and Standardized Tests?
by Cheryl Ann Moore
MEDT 6401
UWG

Reflections on What It Means to Be a Teacher

Defining Teaching and Learning. Teaching and learning is a give and receive process. Every human being gives something to society. Teaching and learning it is a revolving door, where someone gives and someone receives. However, the survival of a society is governed by what each person is able to produce or give back to the community.

Identifying what it means to be a good teacher? A good teacher is someone who enjoys giving instructions and leadership to others. A good teacher is effective in training others to learn to be effective contributors to the community. In Barth’s article on “Improving Relationships” the nature of relationships among the adults within a school has a greater influence on the character and quality of that school and on student accomplishment than anything else. Barth’s study (as cited on the CD-ROM Reader in Sadker, D., Sadker and Zittleman, 2006). It is important for the administrative staff to work together with the teachers to create the right environment.

According to the article, “Keeping Good Teachers” it is cost-effective for states to invest in short-term alternative certification programs for new teachers to meet hiring needs. Also based on a longitudinal study poorly trained teachers tend not to be as effective as a well-trained teacher. Mentoring is important and can be beneficial for the school and the new teacher. This helps the new teacher get adjusted and understand and manage the class room better. It also provides a support base for the new teacher as she or he establishes a relationship with the veteran teacher. Darling-Hammond (as cited on the CD-Rom Reader in Sadker, D., Sadker M. & Zittleman, 2003)

It would be so nice when teachers had problems with students, they could call someone who could analyze the situation and fix it on the spot. Unfortunately, the teacher is the analyst who must proactively anticipate the behavior of each child. Gladwell’s essay, “What the Dog Saw” is about a dog trainer people called when they had problems with their dogs. He knew how to diagnose and fix the problem. His main strength was his presence and his ability to remain calm at all times. His presence did not control, but allowed the animal to have enough space to lead the situation which enabled him to determine what was going on with the animal. Wallace (2007). “The Best American Essays 2007.”

Summary
Cheryl as a teacher. I see myself as a teacher who leads like the dog trainer in, “What the Dog Saw” mentioned earlier. I see myself as a leader who guides the students to grow in the way the student should go. Everyone teaches something. Teaching is a giving profession. In the article “Metaphor of Hope” one of the four examples of good teachers who gives confidence to the students is Tom in how he uses “Town Meetings” he holds once a week. Chenfeld. & Kappan (as cited on the CD-ROM Reader in Sadker, D., Sadker and Zittleman, 2006). Each time we expose ourselves to each other we are giving someone something. What are we teaching? Children learn from the environment in which they are sensitive to.

How can I be a good teacher, if I am concerned about meeting a quota? How can I be a good teacher if I do not place priority on LEARNING?

References

Barth, Ronald S. (2006) Improving Relationships with the Schoolhouse: [CD Rom]. United States: McGraw-Hill.
Chenfeld, Mimi Brodsky (2004) Metaphors of Hope: A Brief Introduction to Education Reader. [CD Rom]. United States: McGraw-Hill
Darling-Hammond, Linda (2003) Keeping Good Teachers: Why It Matters, What Leaders Can Do. The Teachers, Schools, and Society [CD Rom]. United States: McGraw-Hill
Gladwell, Malcolm (2007) What the Dog Saw. (86-102). David Foster Wallace & Robert Atwan et al. Bos (Eds et al) The Best American Essays 2007. Boston, NY: Houston Mifflin Co.
Classroom Observation Video. A Brief Introduction to Education Reader: [CD Rom]. United States: McGraw-Hill






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