4. They make things real. If you’re teaching
Pythagoras, and a child asks why we have
to learn it, you’ve got an answer. If you’re teaching
expository writing, you allow the children
to write an actual letter to a real person, persuading
them to do something. Teachers make
learning purposeful and real.
5. They practice what they preach. If
you tell your class to be on time, dress smart,
show respect, keep their voice down, and show
kindness and gratitude—well, you better be
doing that yourself. Children are very observant,
and they will quickly call you out on it.
The the old saying, “Do as I say, not as I do,” is
just not good enough.
6. They tell stories. They tell their class
about what they’ve been up to, how their
evening was, and what they’ve got planned.
Children like to know that teachers are
human. They like to know that teachers
don’t live in the art cupboard and that they
do normal human things, like shopping,
watching movies, and even understanding
feelings like that time a student felt down or
lonely. Teachers are human beings; let the students
know.
7. Teachers trust their students. Teachers
explain to the children that the classroom
is an extension of their home, and they should
feel safe there. “I’m going to leave my wallet
on my table and my cell phone on my desk, I
trust you won’t touch them, because you trust
that when you need me, I’ll be there for you.”
Mutual respect equals mutual trust, and if and
when that trust is broken, it will be a huge
learning curve.
8. They tell children that they matter,
and so do their opinions. An opinion box
on your desk, where children can leave anonymous
changes they’d like to see in the classroom,
is a great idea; a daily reflection card, allowing
children to express what they liked and
didn’t like about that day is a great idea. Great
teachers ask the class to anonymously review
their teaching. Teachers might think they’re
the greatest, coolest teacher in the world, but
how do you know if they’re never evaluated by
the very people who look at them all day?
9. They share ideas with the wider
community. A great teacher doesn’t create
materials and keep them a secret so they
look better than everyone else. They think of
education as a whole, a world vision, a change
for the future of mankind and, with that, great
teachers share great ideas and great resources.
If they discover that something works, they
shout it from the top of the highest mountain
and throw samples from airplanes high in the
sky so that everyone gets a copy. Good ideas
change lives.
10. This is the most important one of
all, and it is one that we only find very
rarely. Great teachers don’t teach; they inspire.
They don’t say, “This is how you do it;
now go do it.” They don’t say, “Here’s the equation;
now solve it.” They don’t say, “This is what
it looks like; now copy it.” They say, “How do
you think you do it? Please tell me!” They say
“Can you find the equation? Please test it!”
They say, “What do you think it looks like? Go
find out!”
If you know a teacher who does any of the
above, please share this article with them or
any teachers who might like these ideas.
Gavin McCormack is
currently the principal at
Farmhouse Montessori
School in Sydney,
Australia, over 20 years of experience
teaching in several countries across the
world, Gavin has conducted hundreds
of teacher training workshops in schools
across the globe including the U.K.,
France, Australia, and Nepal; where he
is an Honorary principal at Kathmandu
Montessori Training Centre.
He’s currently advising several schools
in Thailand, Nepal, and Australia on the
development of pedagogies that initiate
independent learning and research-based
outcomes for children.
In 2017 he trained several hundred
teachers on classroom delivery
techniques and lesson preparation,
and built and opened two schools in
Nepal, which are fully sustainable. He
continues to visit Nepal where he delivers
Montessori training, planning, and
programming advice.
He was nominated for the 2017
Australian Author of the Year Award. He
writes and globally distributes picture
books designed to educate children
about friendship, kindness, acceptance,
and inclusion.
www.regarded.com.au
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