I remember coming painfully close to failing US History and Government in the 11th grade. I hated that class, so incredibly much! It was close to impossible to skip without getting caught, we were forced to memorize a bunch of useless dates on a calendar, and I just remember looking at the teacher like "build me a bridge with those useless facts buddy!" I can't tell you one thing that I learned, except that if I smiled nicely, the teacher would point the fan in my direction on days that were sweltering.
The thing is...I had taken classes that I didn't care about before, and still done well, especially because history is really just...reading, and that's something I do well, but this class...it was different. It was the teacher, it was his lack of effort in making the class even remotely interesting. He didn't even seem to have a real passion in the subject matter he was forcing down our throats. It was almost like, he picked a stupid activity for us to do every single day, and nothing was connected, it was random, it was remote, and worst of all...uninspiring! The one thing, that I remember the most, was sitting in the classroom, watching the clock, and waiting for the bell to ring. I felt like I lost years of my life in that 50 minute class. It was the first time in school, that I honestly remember....not caring anymore.
As I embark upon opening our second school, and go through tons of teacher applications, I look at the resumes, and wonder about the names that I see, the skills that are listed, and the randomness of it all. I watch each teacher present a sample lesson in front of students, and I must say....it's very telling. The best part is getting the kids reaction afterwards, but this time it's different. I'm hiring elementary teachers, and kindergarten kids aren't going to be able to give me that uncanny, and genuine perspective, that I get from my middle schoolers.
If you could give me one piece of advise in selecting a teacher.....what would it be? Who are the teachers you remember? And why?
I remember my second grade teacher Mrs Tata. She is still, to this day, my favortie teacher of all of my teachers. Her first name is the answer to some security questions in a few of my private accounts. I'd call that "impact".
ReplyDeleteSadly, I do not think what I loved about her will be of any help in choosing a good elementary school teacher tho. I liked her b/c she dressed so cool, and b/c she liked me. It is the only class ever that I was the teacher's pet. And I adored her b/c she picked me to be her pet. Now it could be that she was able to make that connection with every student. (I like to believe not, and that I was special) but if she did, she did it well.
Teachers I liked...hmmm.
ReplyDeleteI transferred through a ton of schools prior to jr. hs so I don't have a great recollection of my younger days but from jr. hs to hs, my favorite teachers were the fair ones. I went to a predominantly white school and I always sense a little bit of favoritism towards the white kids. Other than that, teachers with a sense of humor with stories, were always nice and seemed relatable.
I'm not sure how you can see if a teacher is fair but that's my experience.