Comments on: Be Respectable (Total Teacher Transformation Day 12) http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/be-respectable-total-teacher-transformation-day-12/ Providing HOPE for educators since 2007 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:07:56 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Tom Anselm http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/be-respectable-total-teacher-transformation-day-12/#comment-5781 Tom Anselm Sun, 24 May 2009 00:23:50 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1674#comment-5781 "What'd'ya think, we're stupid or something?" is how kids will react, no matter how bright or unmotivated they may be, if we as teachers aren't prepared to truly instruct. Not that this is a guarantee that they will take the bait and go along with the lesson, but they sure as shootin' won't if we walk in with nothing and try to wing it. I learned this the hard way, and it didn't take long before I figured out that most, not all, but most, of my classroom management problems were because I was not at least 4 steps ahead of the gang as they came in the door. Remember, we are always outnumbered, all day, every day, so use the edge of preparation to even the odds. Tom Anselm “What’d'ya think, we’re stupid or something?” is how kids will react, no matter how bright or unmotivated they may be, if we as teachers aren’t prepared to truly instruct. Not that this is a guarantee that they will take the bait and go along with the lesson, but they sure as shootin’ won’t if we walk in with nothing and try to wing it.
I learned this the hard way, and it didn’t take long before I figured out that most, not all, but most, of my classroom management problems were because I was not at least 4 steps ahead of the gang as they came in the door. Remember, we are always outnumbered, all day, every day, so use the edge of preparation to even the odds.
Tom Anselm

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]]> By: Michael Weller http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/be-respectable-total-teacher-transformation-day-12/#comment-5761 Michael Weller Tue, 19 May 2009 14:36:00 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1674#comment-5761 Joel, I would suggest that while competence in subject matter is important, it is not enough--competence in pedagogy is equally important. Organization may seem obvious, but it's another important part of respectability--one that hasn't come easily to this teacher, even after eight years! To new teachers who are organized, kudos--you are ahead of the game and this will serve you well as you learn more about your kids and your teaching practice. For new teachers who are not organized, this might be a helpful focus that will save you time and effort. Joel, I would suggest that while competence in subject matter is important, it is not enough–competence in pedagogy is equally important.

Organization may seem obvious, but it’s another important part of respectability–one that hasn’t come easily to this teacher, even after eight years!

To new teachers who are organized, kudos–you are ahead of the game and this will serve you well as you learn more about your kids and your teaching practice. For new teachers who are not organized, this might be a helpful focus that will save you time and effort.

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