REFLECTION-WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT GREAT TEACHING?

Dr. Wendy Ghiora – Posting #42 – March 6, 2010

For the past four weeks we have looked at each of four candidates nominated for the prestigious National Teacher of the Year Award. Our mission was to identify specific qualities great teachers have that good teachers haven't quite met. The purpose of this short study was to find at least some of the connecting threads that seem to weave into the material that comprises truly special individuals that are a cut above the rest. Hopefully, this will motivate us to take our teaching up to the next level.

Working backwards, our fourth candidate, Cynthia Cole Rigsbee-North Carolina Teacher of the Year, is a sixth through eighth-grade reading teacher who has shown us the importance of looking at teachers as opinion leaders and as cornerstones of the community. Because of her statements, we thought about the question: Should teachers openly convey an attitude of bitterness and inability to cope when out and about in their community? As Mary Engelbreit said, “If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. “ Teachers must promote themselves and their career as one of hard-working professionals full of hope and with a large dose of optimism. They alone have been given the wonderful opportunity to change the future for the better by molding one student at a time into the very best he or she can be. Only when teachers behaving like professionals will they get the respect they deserve. Only then will legislators take teachers seriously and become advocates for public education. "People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Worship," The Conduct of Life, 1860

Our third candidate, Anthony Mullen—2009 Connecticut Teacher of the Year, is

a ninth through twelfth-grade special education teacher at ARCH School in Greenwich, Connecticut. Mr. Mullen really got us thinking about the school’s role as the greatest agent “for social change,” and the teacher as “the greatest instrument of change.” These are two all encompassing and crucial components of our society, educators are responsible for. Indeed, schools and teachers everywhere, every day, take on this challenge. Anthony reminds us that most of the knowledge used to create all the technological, scientific and artistic marvels throughout time has been the direct or indirect result of great teachers. Those of you able to read this and think about it right now, undoubtedly have a teacher to thank for that gift. I applaud Mr. Mullen’s advocacy of the teaching profession. It is because of teachers with his strength and vision, great things are still happening in our American free educational system for all.

"In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something else." — Lee Iacocca

Our second candidate, Susan Elliott—2009 Colorado Teacher of the Year is a ninth through twelfth grade English and social studies teacher at Highlands Ranch High School in Highland Ranch, Colorado. Ms. Elliot pointed out the importance of continued and relevant professional development for teachers. There are always new techniques and ideas to learn about that can make a huge difference in one’s teaching; and thus in the impact one will have on students. Susan also reminded us of the value of each instructional minute. Each minute is important as the total minutes used wisely add up to many hours of important learning for our students, while wasted minutes add up to a huge disservice to them. By making cross-curricular connections, not only is she able to cover more than one subject area at a time, she is also showing students in real-time that in real life, many courses of study interact as we deal with them in our daily lives. Gaining support from the media and policymakers is critical. We need some powerful forces such as Ms. Elliot to contact local media and “tell the story” of great things going on in the classroom. Susan is right in her statement, “ Well-prepared teachers are the most valuable resource we can provide young people.” She personally wants to give the very best she can in order to empower her students to be successful in life.

Our first finalist is Alex Kajitani—2009 California Teacher of the Year, an eighth grade mathematics teacher at Mission Middle School in Escondido, California. This middle school math teacher is connecting the classroom with the world as it is. He embodies dedication, caring and determination, qualities many of his students will assimilate from his example. He is telling his students, they are the ones that can change the world and he inspires them to eventually believe him. To equip them, he invokes pride and confidence, shows them the door and says, "I'm expecting great things from you. Go out there an do something great."

To summarize here are the main threads I found these fine teachers weaving into their mission as teachers:

1. If you expect to be supported and treated as a professional, act like one at all times and in all places.
2. Recognize the power that has been entrusted to your hands as “the greatest instrument of change.” Don’t waste the important opportunity you have; use it by empowering your students with the knowledge and skills they need to make their dreams come true.
3. Use every instructional minute wisely. By making cross-curricular connections, not only can you cover more than one subject area at a time, you also show students in real-time that in real life, many courses of study interact as we deal with them in our daily lives.
4. Continue learning through relevant Professional Development. Don’t just attend these learning opportunities; try implementing what you have learned. After all, if you expect your students to be open to change and new ideas, you should exemplify this. New strategies could make a huge difference in the progress your students make.
5. Hold genuine high expectations of your students and don’t accept anything less. Inspire them, believe in them, and they will go out into the world and make a difference.
6. Be proactive. Contact local media and legislators. Let them know of the little miracles you are fostering each and every day in the microcosm of our world; your classroom.

If you decide to add even one of these attributes as you weave your plans for the rest of the school year, you will definitely see positive changes and know you are taking your personal practice up to a higher level. I wish you the best of luck!