Comments on: What exactly does a teacher do? http://theclassroom.ca/2007/04/what-exactly-does-a-teacher-do/ Thoughts and Resources for Teachers Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:56:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Danny http://theclassroom.ca/2007/04/what-exactly-does-a-teacher-do/comment-page-1/#comment-516 Danny Mon, 30 Apr 2007 14:35:44 +0000 http://theclassroom.ca/2007/04/29/what-exactly-does-a-teacher-do/#comment-516 Another intriguing post, Mr. G. What does a teacher do? We could spend time debating public perception of what teachers do, and depending on a teacher's background/experiences/beliefs/attitudes there are many opinions on the 'state of the classroom'. There are those who believe that the kids learn 'despite us' but I hold the opinion that the teacher and her/his actions make the critical difference in the level of achievement her/his students reach. So what does that look like? A teacher: - Understands the learning process and creates a classroom environment and daily activities which promote learning - Understands the curriculum and is able to make meaningful connections to learning activities which deepen understandings of curriculum outcomes, which make connections to multiple curricula in a single activity (moreso for elementary teachers who teach the same group multiple subjects), and which bring in real world contexts to increase the frequency/depth of those 'teachable moments' - Understands her/his students - their interests, learning styles, and ability levels. This allows the teacher to help bridge personal connections with each student to a single activity and allow for differentiated instruction efficiently and effectively - Understands how to motivate students - Understands that bringing parents on side is important, and that it is the teacher's responsibility to PROVE to the parent that she/he is there for their child, likes their child, and is dedicated to their child's success - Understands the importance of teaching the whole child - that while the skills/understandings of the curriculum are very important, so too is the development of social/collaborative skills, problem solving skills, global 'awareness', a love for self, a love for others, and a love for learning - Understands how to provide the right balance of all these things for each group and each child while still achieving somewhat of a balanced lifestyle for themselves - that while being dedicated to one's profession is very important, that the best teacher is one who has put the books aside enough so that their batteries are charged, their mind is fresh (or as fresh as coffee can make it), and their students see a role model of a busy but balanced lifestyle. By my criteria, it would seem that none of us reach the level of 'teacher'. Within this definition I've set out, however, is the understanding that we're not perfect, we're always growing, there's always something new to learn, and that it's okay to be on the path and probably never really getting there. Another intriguing post, Mr. G. What does a teacher do? We could spend time debating public perception of what teachers do, and depending on a teacher’s background/experiences/beliefs/attitudes there are many opinions on the ‘state of the classroom’. There are those who believe that the kids learn ‘despite us’ but I hold the opinion that the teacher and her/his actions make the critical difference in the level of achievement her/his students reach. So what does that look like?

A teacher:
- Understands the learning process and creates a classroom environment and daily activities which promote learning
- Understands the curriculum and is able to make meaningful connections to learning activities which deepen understandings of curriculum outcomes, which make connections to multiple curricula in a single activity (moreso for elementary teachers who teach the same group multiple subjects), and which bring in real world contexts to increase the frequency/depth of those ‘teachable moments’
- Understands her/his students – their interests, learning styles, and ability levels. This allows the teacher to help bridge personal connections with each student to a single activity and allow for differentiated instruction efficiently and effectively
- Understands how to motivate students
- Understands that bringing parents on side is important, and that it is the teacher’s responsibility to PROVE to the parent that she/he is there for their child, likes their child, and is dedicated to their child’s success
- Understands the importance of teaching the whole child – that while the skills/understandings of the curriculum are very important, so too is the development of social/collaborative skills, problem solving skills, global ‘awareness’, a love for self, a love for others, and a love for learning
- Understands how to provide the right balance of all these things for each group and each child while still achieving somewhat of a balanced lifestyle for themselves – that while being dedicated to one’s profession is very important, that the best teacher is one who has put the books aside enough so that their batteries are charged, their mind is fresh (or as fresh as coffee can make it), and their students see a role model of a busy but balanced lifestyle.

By my criteria, it would seem that none of us reach the level of ‘teacher’. Within this definition I’ve set out, however, is the understanding that we’re not perfect, we’re always growing, there’s always something new to learn, and that it’s okay to be on the path and probably never really getting there.

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