This book is a look at a few exceptional teachers, but there are many others out there.
Please take a moment to think of a teacher you had (in school or elsewhere) that made a deep impression on you. Not merely one that you liked or that had a fun class—but somebody who challenged you and from whom you learned something of value. This would be a person whom you still think about today.
If you can, add a comment describing something they did that had a beneficial effect on your learning. It’s my hope that we might discover something in your experience we could bring to our own classrooms in an attempt to pay forward those learning gifts that we have received.
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Patrick,
ReplyDeleteThere is a teacher that I find myself thinking of many times a year. She was a wonderful woman, full of life, and always making everyone in her class feel welcome and accepted. For me, though, the impact she had on my life didn't come from anything she did in the classroom, but what she did outside the classroom instead.
During my last two years of high school, I was trying to navigate some rough waters. Not many people even noticed, but this teacher had a special radar that helped her hone in on what was going on. She began inviting me to her office before class, discussing great books with me, letting me unload some of my concerns.
Sometimes we try to separate ourselves from our students. My teacher might have gotten fired in today's schools for what she did for me back then. But we aren't just students and teachers; we're people in relationship with one another. We have to honor that as well. My teacher did this well, maintaining professional boundaries while showing humanity towards a young man who desperately needed it.
One teacher that definitely left and impression wasn't the typical understanding and welcoming teacher. If anything, he was some of the student's worse enemy. And I think that distinction is what my class needed. He was hard and unrelenting, there were no breaks or pats on the back. He is the first and only teacher from my high school to ever challenge me.
ReplyDeleteI was the typical smart ass. I was often bored in class, because I learned quickly. I was in gifted programs, but all they did was baby you even further. He treated everyone the same, there was no favoritism or smiles. Everything was by the book, either you passed or you failed, he taught and you listened end of story. He truly prepared me for college, I learned that society wasn't going to pat me on the head, I had to work hard and succeed on my own accord.
It's funny how certain teacher's affect different people and the lessons that are learned.
I had a professor my first year in college that stands out to me. It's funny, because I can not remember his name, but I can clearly see his face (he looks just like Anthony Edwards, we all called him either Goose or Dr. Green...therefore, his real name was never used:) ) He taught Quantitative Methods I for the business school. The class was a large lecture of a few hundred. Goose held weekly optional help sessions where he sat down with anyone who came and went over the weeks work. I started attending these help sessions and was amazed at his commitment to his students. He quickly learned names and created an amazing learning environment. His huge lectures did not seem as overwhelming once that personal connection was created. I could truly tell that he was there to teach and help us college students. He was not one of those professors that taught his class simply so he could focus on his research. Nor was he the teacher who said, "You can come to me if you need anything." He made himself available every week...same time, same place in order to help and build relationships.
ReplyDeleteI actually had someone who was both a teacher and a social worker - Donna Yule. I wish I could find her and tell her how she inspired my life.
ReplyDeleteDuring my parents' divorce (which was so drawn out is was pretty nasty), Donna took the time to work with me on my classes one-on-one (before NCLB and special ed existed), making sure I stayed current on my grades and helped me manage my behavior more effectively in the classroom and in life.
I think that as teachers we grow close to some of our students and realize that they have needs that go beyond the classroom. Helping them work through these problems helps them become more effective and successful learners.
I had a HS teacher that taught Honors Lit. He was the most passionate man I have ever met. When he read Steinbeck, he made you feel as if we were on the wagon train heading to the East of Eden. He brought characters alive, he inspired me to crave the classics, to look at good literature as fine art. He was a burly man, living in a small cabin in Alaska who often skied to work, hauled his own water and chopped wood for heat. He taught me you could be a manly-man and still bring yourself to tears with an exceptional story. I have tried to bring the same passion to my classroom, even though I am peddling MS Office skills instead of great works of fiction.
ReplyDeleteGreg
Patrick - You've certainly hit on a topic here that people want to talk about! That being said, I also feel compelled to share my "teacher story".
ReplyDeleteI had a professor in undergrad (Ron Beiswenger) whom I automatically think about when asked about "good teachers". I took a few classes from him on public land management. He may have been my first exposure in college to someone who went beyond lecturing and testing. He provided real examples of land management issues that were happening that day. He tried to make what we were learning applicable...to the point that we almost all felt like we could go out and competently work for the Forest Service or National Parks by the end of class. I attribute the fact that I also strive to make materials applicable in my classes to Ron.
Finally, I have moved back to the town I did my undergrad degree in. I still run into Ron once in awhile...and he remembers my name and takes time to chat. He's had thousands of students over the years, but still treats each one like an individual. If I am able to accomplish that same thing as an instructor, I'll be thrilled!
My teacher of many old memories was my Sunday school teacher and piano teacher, Mother Dean. She could tell the best stories from the Bible with such passion and conviction and then, days later, whack my hands with the ruler when I played the wrong piano notes…what a women, she was tough but a great role model.
ReplyDeleteYour stories are inspirational and touching. Thank you for sharing them!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't you just love someday, perhaps years from now, for some graduate student to be recalling what a difference YOU made in their life?
You've done a fantastic job pulling people into your discussion. And this is my favorite book (next to Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Hamm).
ReplyDeleteMy favorite teacher was from high school. Her name was simply Granny. She was my creative writing teacher.
I was extremely shy in high school. I found out that I could write really well in her class. She was constantly encouraging me and reading my stuff outloud, but she was always careful not to point me out so I didn't turn beat red from embarrassment. She also had a really good sense of humor. So there was an instant connection there.
I think Granny's dead now.
Tim
I always think of my HS freshmen year Biology teacher, Mrs. Rogers. She had told us that she had started med school, but due to personal reasons, had to quit and become a teacher.
ReplyDeleteShe had the most interesting projects and presentations. She did this even though our class was held in an overflow trailor behind the highschool.
That is the year that I really became interested in science and hence my BS in Biology.
After that year I moved out of state and she wrote some letters of recommendation for me a year or 2 later.
It's amazing to think about how one individual can affect the course of someones life. And everyone has a story like this--someone they'll always remember
ReplyDeleteHere's an anti-example
My wife likes to tell the story of the H.S> teacher she once had who told her she didn't have any aptitude for English.
My wife went on to major in English, become an English teacher & get a Master's degree--In some ways I think she was driven simply to prove that woman wrong.
I sometimes wonder if that teacher didn't say that just to light a fire under her. Although I wouldn't recommend that as a good example of how to inspire people...
--Patrick
Just to add to what Justin said, it's unfortunate that teachers who try to provide that mentoring support to students can be misconstrued as not abiding by the state standards or standardized tests. What we tend to forget in education is that learning is more than a grade or a test score - it is the overall development of the student from a wholistic perspective, which includes being their for them! Unfortunately the lack of parental involvement issue is nothing new ot k-12 or adult education, and that is truly unforunate.
ReplyDeleteI'd be scared to death to be a K-12 teacher these days. It doesn't seem like it takes more than a simple accusation for someone to take your job away. That's got to impact how teacher's teach, too.
ReplyDeleteI think you've brought up an interesting point. When I was in school if the teacher called or I wasn't doing well my parents came down on me. Now the parents come down on the school with attorneys in tow...
ReplyDeleteTwo unique teachers come to mind - one during high school and another during my undergrad. It was in hindsight I recognized how unique Mrs. Delores Rawlins was as my business teacher in high school. Boy, did she have me dialed in - my social-manipulative ways (charm?) didn't faze her. Heck she stuck me in the 'out side' world during Office Simulation class!!! (i.e., no interaction with my classmates!) She's the only teacher who ever sat me down and attempted to get my attention (like getta grip!) and the only one to send me to the principal's office for disrespectful language.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first entered college at age 17 I had to write an entrance essay for English placement. I wrote about Mrs. Rawlins. Even through her tough-love approach, she made a lasting impression on me. She walked her talk. I've modeled a lot of my educational demeanor on Mrs. Rawlins. I figured if she out all the teachers I've had could crack through the shield I'd created; something she was doing was A-OK.
My other experience was as an adult (mid-30s) returning to college to obtain my undergrad. Mrs. Pam Weigand, PhD, was a professor I had quite often in the Business ED program. She was approachable, encouraging, challenging - many superlatives come to mind. She is still at the university and I am still comfortable in contacting her. She had a method to her madness - a trait often used to describe me; which I take as a compliment :-).
I just have to mention how much I loved this book. I found so much inspiration in it and plan to reread it in the hopes I can someday impact others in the way these teachers did.
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