Quite often, we don’t give teachers the credit
they deserve. I mean, first of all, they spend
all day with kids—something that would
drive most of us mad. But beyond that, they
do so much more. Not only do they teach
our children, they spend more time with our
children than we (parents) do; they are trusted
with caring for their well-being: socially,
mentally, and physically. They are mothers,
fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, and counselors
to our children. While this may seem
like enough of a job in itself, they also have
to squeeze in some teaching along the way.
Here’s ten things all great teachers do:
1. First, they know every child’s name,
not just in their class, but in the entire
school, they say, “Hello,” to every child
they meet and always engage in conversation
where possible. “How are you? Did you
watch the game? How’s your dad? You look
cool today!”
2. They talk to children like adults.
They reason with them and make them
understand that, yes, there are rules and expectations
in school and this is why, “You can’t
run in the classroom, not because I said so, but
because you might trip, fall into a sharp pencil,
and stab yourself, and because I care for you
so much that I don’t want you to get hurt.”
3. They allow children to ask questions
and investigate, and they don’t
pretend to know everything. “So that
sums up our study of the human heart,
class!” said Mr Johnson.
“Sir, why do heart attacks occur?”
“Actually I don’t know, but how about you go
and find out and tell us all next week!”
This instills a sense of reality, responsibility, and
pride as the children get to provide feedback to
the group. Allow them to be the teacher; allow
them to be the expert in the field.
10 THINGS
GREAT
TEACHERS
DEMONSTRATE
by Gavin McCormack
(reprinted with permission)
TEACHERS SHAPE THE
FUTURE OF OUR WORLD.
THEY EDUCATE OUR
FUTURE LEADERS, AND
THE RESPONSIBILITY
OF OUR PLANET LIES IN
THEIR HANDS.
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