#10 Advice for Teachers

Over the years that I have been in school, I have come across a variety of teachers, all with unique and different personality traits and ways of teaching. My past teachers have ranged from crazy to sane, interesting to boring, mean to nice, traditional and untraditional. There are several teachers I’ve come to love, looking back on how much I’ve really learned from them, and from others, I feel the complete opposite. If I had to choose two character traits of teachers that I find most helpful, useful or inspiring I would choose: 1) Allowing students to work in groups- it helps students to learn from one another, to ask questions and figure things out as a team. This really helps each student involved get a better understanding of the material being taught. However, groups are best for in-class activities. When the teacher uses groups for outside of school assignments, it just leaves the students aggravated trying to find a place and time to get together- teenagers are busier than some may think! 2) Another trait that is extremely beneficial to students: going over material before and after a test or quiz, especially in subjects such as math and science. Reviewing material before tests really do help the students and gives them the chance to ask questions on anything they may not understand. Review after a test on things that more than one student was stumped on is also extremely beneficial. It’s good knowing what you did wrong, so that way you can avoid the same mistake in the future. If I had to choose two character traits of teachers that I find most helpful, useful or inspiring I would choose: 1) One trait that this is most un-useful is when you are giving a presentation and teacher begins telling you that you’ve left something out before you’ve even gotten started. This may be a bad example, but I what I really mean is, it is a very bad trait for a teacher to have low expectations for a student. It definitely does not help with the student’s confidence when it comes to his or work. 2) The second worst character trait teachers is one that is mainly unintentional- favoring students. All teachers do it, even if they believe they aren’t. It’s just something that is annoying for all the students in a class. It’s not something that can really be fixed but I would advise teachers to just be more aware and make more of an effort to make sure that they are treating all of their students equally.

Comments

[alexandria cruz]

I agree with you. Looking back there were many varieties of teachers. I find that the most untraditional teachers are the ones I am able to learn from best. I like the idea of group work. I also agree that taking group work out of class jut causes problems. I remember in a particular class last year, things like making videos is a very fun assignment, but if you get in a group where the people are not particularly your friends, it can be a challenge to make way to their house to work. Also, everyone’s schedule is different, at least in working IN school on assignments, everyone has time. Going over a test or quiz before the test/quiz is another great idea. In one of my classes this year, the teacher always goes over the material the day before, or sometime during the week of the test/quiz. I find this extremely helpful and I always seem to do better when the teacher highlights the most important facts to remember.

I also agree that it is rather annoying when a teacher interrupts during a powerpoint. It is rude and unhelpful, and it just wastes time. I think they should let a student finish, and then make the comments on paper as to not embarrass the student (unless it is stuff the other students should know). I did not consider this point when I read the question, however now that I think of it, it is really annoying. I also wrote about favoring students. It is extremely frustrating and annoying. I agree and I would advise teachers to just be more aware of that matter.