Response

Answer – Characteristics of a good teacher are those traits that standout, not only in their presence but also in their work.  To name a couple, my top three characteristics of a good teacher would consist of a good listener, hardworking, and effective. Teachers need to always be a good listener. We as teachers are so used to being in control that we sometimes need to take a step back and listen to what others have to say.  The more we listen to our parents, students, and staff members we can take that information and analyze it to help the needs of our student to create a positive environment for everybody. My second grade teacher was the best listener I have ever encountered. She always made us feel like we had a voice in the classroom. She always made sure that we had a part in our education as well.  A good teacher is hardworking and also effective. I believe hard working and effectiveness goes hand and hand with one another. When you work hard every day to ensure the best education for your students the outcome of your work will be effective. Effectiveness is being organized, enthusiastic, and even instructional. When being instructional you have intentions on being purposeful in your lessons. You are providing interactions between you and your students and even with their peers. In my past experiences with teachers, teaching is not just about giving a student a worksheet, reading the directions and expecting your students to know or learn the material. You have to set a purpose for learning, one that the students understand. 

Item Two: Describe how one becomes an intentional teacher.

An intentional teacher is one who teaches beyond the lesson. Intentional teachers are those teachers who make every second count in the classroom. Intentional teachers take bad situations and turn them into lifelong learning lessons. Teachers who become intentional teaches are those who use all teaching moments and use them to the best of their advantage. For example, if a teacher sees a student who is bullying another student, not only will the teacher discipline the student, but will also model the correct behavior towards a student. The key word is model. Intentional teachers model for their students and show them the good in bad situations and how they can apply the lesson later in life.

Item Three: One of the criticisms of educational psychology is that it is merely common sense. Some believe that the findings of educational research are obvious. What is the danger of this kind of thinking?

I believe that if everyone thought psychology is just common sense then there would not be any room for growth.  Common sense relies on experience and peoples reasoning. This simply means people would only use their own set of beliefs. There would not be any factual knowledge or research to go by. This could be a major problem that researchers could have because they would not have any reliable understanding or research.

Discussion 2

Item One: Write a short essay reflecting on what characteristics make a good teacher, using your own educational experiences. Without using names, identify the “best” and “worst” teacher that you have had and support your choices with rationales.

                    Eleven years ago I entered the teaching field because I wanted to make sure every child had at least one person in their life to give them hope, love, and make them feel important! Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed and feel loved by someone! Unfortunately, we live in a society where this does not always occur at home and teachers are the only impact in a child’s life.

               I walked into several interviews when searching for the perfect home to teach and landed four job opportunities my first year! The choice was easy and I knew God led me to the school I have been teaching at for the past eleven years. It is my home away from home. I remember them asking me why I wanted to teach and what makes me a great teacher. I come from a family where little interest was in the teaching field. I am the first educator in my entire family. I did not choose teaching because my mom taught or my grandmother taught, but it was my desire to become a teacher. I was the student that mocked the teacher at age five. I was the child who played school every day after school. My heart has always been in teaching since an early age. I wanted to show love to children, be a child’s biggest cheerleader, and help them see dreams do come true! In my opinion, a “great” teacher exhibits love to students and gets to know each student to best teach each child. You can attend every professional development training, know every handbook, prepare great lessons, but it is pointless if you do not love your students and do the very best for them each day! Great teachers continue to be students and learn from students daily.

               Unfortunately, I did not have a wonderful school experience. I was a child who learned very differently than others. I attended a school where education was very black and white. I did not learn that way and my self-confidence was low at an early age. I grew up with very little confidence in teachers. I knew school was supposed to be different. One of the reasons I became a teacher was so I could make sure students did not get the same school experience as I did. I do not recall very many teachers who impacted my life but one that comes to mind is a college professor. I attended MAP program so I was very close to all professors. We spent countless hours together. This particular teacher was my least favorite in the beginning. She pushed me very hard and she did not accept anything but perfection. One day I noticed my love for this teacher and questioned why. She pushed me more than anyone ever had and made me work harder than any teacher in my entire life. It HIT me! She believed in me. She saw my capabilities and she knew what I could do if I saw someone believed in me. She called me “the natural.” After noticing her effort, I became a better person, student, and teacher.  I’ve kept in touch with this professor and she’s visited my kindergarten teacher many times. I refer to her songs, lessons, and quotes often. She got me out of my comfort zone and molded me into a wonderful teacher. I pray I have the same impact on my students and they have a wonderful school experience.            

 
Item Two: Describe how one becomes an intentional teacher.

               Intentional teachers take the time to know their students as well as themselves. They realize the importance of reflection and instruction. Intentional teachers make every second count!  Teachable moments are the heart of their day and instruction is engaging and wrapped around student learning. Students make self-connections to make learning fun and intentional. Unfortunately, these teachers have dwindled over the years. We know the ones we wonder why they chose teaching as their career! Some teachers do not move with the generation of children and challenges take too much time. I have been teaching eleven years and I have to constantly reflect each day to ensure quality instruction is provided. Our classroom must provide at atmosphere that is motivating and engaging.  As educators, our goal is to develop lifelong learners and raising the bar high with expectations and being intentional with our plans is vital to success of our future children. I agree professional development, seeking mentor teachers and reading educational publications will help us become intentional teachers. However, I believe the most important aspect of an intentional teacher is the ability to tap beyond the curriculum and reach the students on a personal level.

Item Three: One of the criticisms of educational psychology is that it is merely common sense. Some believe that the findings of educational research are obvious. What is the danger of this kind of thinking?

This type of thinking can be dangerous. Even though research is broad and may seem like common sense, there is a lot of research and knowledge that is wrapped up in educational psychology. Data used from research is used to promote ideas for learning process and assist teachers to use for all students. Factors of educational psychology can change the dynamics of any classroom. We have come too far in our findings to go backwards and change the way we compose research.  Educational psychology is slowly changing the world of education.