Job Discussion Forums

[Capergirl]

I feel that a good teacher is someone who inspires students to want to learn. Learning is a choice - you cannot make anyone learn. A good teacher is also someone who teaches because they love it and who genuinely cares about his/her students. Just my two cents.

Some words of wisdom on the subject:

You can pay people to teach, But you can't pay them to care.
--Marva Collins

He who dares to teach must never cease to learn.
--Richard Henry Dann

Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.
--Will Durant

Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.
--Chinese Proverb

[denise]

Linda-- I agree with you. I think it is more of an observation, and I have certainly encountered students and administrators (haven't really had to deal with parents... yet) who have behaved like that. I just try not to let it get me down...

d

[Roger]

A good teacher is like a good physician: both have to communicate with their respective opposite numbes. Sometimes the truth to impart is unpleasant to hear. persuade a patient he needs to accept some pain in order to cure himself of a potentially chronic disease! Patiens are impatient. They want to cure symptoms, not their disease. Just see how alcoholics remain true to their addiction!
And the teacher has to guide his or her learners to work that the students have to perform without getting immediate compensation. Those who make hem accept this are effective teachers. As the doctor, many decisions you take may look unpopular to your students.

[Bertrand]

Never try to be a GOOD teacher, just try and be A teacher.

[richard ame]

What is a good teacher? What makes a teacher good ? A few good responses to that and most of us can quote what the ingredients are that make up this mythical beast and depending on the place you work you may run across one or two who catch your eye . Why ? What is it about them that gives them this perceived status among their peers and employers alike ? Take a look at those you share a class or office with and ask yourself are they a person you would like to emulate ,do they inspire you ? There are few that I have met who meet this critera,generally they drift in and out of one school or another and make a few good or bad reputations depending on where you were standing at any one given time .
Looking back over a the last 9 years the people who have being given the label "good" were the last people I would have agreed on. Generally they were poorly paid this is good from the employers viewpoint especially if they work hard because their job is underthreat ,sometimes they did very little work and got well paid for it ,thats good as well isn't it from our viewpoint, I know a few of these and they are really taking the wee wee but are well thought of, so,we can all define this GOOD" quality among our collegues but how many really care if they have it or not as long as they get paid for what they do and get paid well even if they don't deserve it . Just my cyncial two pence worth .