What Good Teachers Do

I've been in a bit of a contemplative mood this week. I was voted Teacher of the Year by my colleagues and although that is quite an honor, there are probably at least 12 other teachers who I think deserve it more than I do. If I'm being completely honest, most days on my drive home I think about what I could have done better or differently to make a lesson more effective. I do volunteer to facilitate for some after school clubs including 2 reading clubs that have over 80 students who participate--so I think that's why people probably thought of me.

Anyway, thinking about what makes a teacher a good teacher, I decided to get some input from my kiddos. We read:

It's one of my favorite stories, particularly because Patricia Polacco states it's pretty much autobiographical of her own reading difficulties; and how she overcame them with the help of an interested teacher to become an acclaimed author. I asked the kids why Mr. Falker was a good teacher and then to write what makes a teacher a "good" teacher. I half-expected them all to say a good teacher gives recess all day :)--but they really did come up with some thoughtful answers-the first one is my favorite!

give you good ideas for your work.

 

do nice stuff like when it's math she will let us do housekeeping.

...because of course, it's a teacher's fault they have to give sad faces, right? :)