In her article, Sandra Brooks focuses on what makes a teacher effective. No, it is not the incorporation of technology or well-planned lesson plans, although these are indeed important. It is good ole lovin'. In the article, Teaching Ideas that Work!, Brooks says that the teacher's genuine personal interest in the student and his/her family is a vital element if we want our students to attend in class and be on-task. She says that we must be in tune with the lives of our adolescent students, being compassionate and even sharing, as much as practical, our own personal lives in an attempt to break down barriers. We also need to foster healthy relationships with their parents balancing praise and criticism of their children.
Indeed, it is important for us to remember that in implementing all of the latest teaching strategies, if we fail to be compassionate and patient with our charges, we will not be effective as teachers. We teach students not lessons. These students, in particular, are fragile and must be handled with care.It would be instructive for us to note at least three possible reasons for poor student class participation. They are the lack of parental support, little concern for the student and shoddy lesson preparation. Can you identify any more? So let's pray with and for them, engage in casual conversaions with them. Who know? You may get material for instructional planning.
Brooks, S. Teaching Ideas that Work! The Journal of Adventist Education, February/March, 1993. Vol.55 no. 3 9pp.19-22
This is so interesting as there are some students who do not perform in a certain subject but do exceptionally well in another. I think the difference most times is in the teacher as you posted - "some good ole loving"! We are so much more than just dispatchers of information. As teachers we have to nurture and prune our charges just as if they were our very own.
ReplyDeleteYes Reading Maxx, you said it perfectly. There is a saying which I would change slightly; "Children don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." All human beings appreciate affection even the unlovable, as they are called. It is important to demonstrate, especially to the weak readers,some of whom feel unloved and whose self-esteem may be abysmally low, that we care.
ReplyDeleteThey would then be more inclined to listen to us and to relate to us. If we don't show them compassion or warmth, they will erect an emotional wall making it difficult to reach and help them. All the best.