10 Ways to tell if you are a GOOD teacher!

[muinteoir]

How long can we make THIS list?

1. You establish procedures and routines from day one. You know that students are more successful when they know what is expected of them.

2. You know the content you are teaching intimately. You are able to extend student questions and enrich class conversations.

3. You relate content to the "real world" because you know students retain information that matters to them.

4. You use effective questioning strategies: higher level questions, wait time 1 and 2, etc so that students have a chance to process information ad to provide feedback for you.

5. You teach bell-to-bell, maximizing instruction time.

6. You understand the power of relationships in student success, but you don't mistake being friends with students with rapport.

7. You know the strengths and weakness of each student and build in time for individual and small group work to help students tackle their weak spots.

8. You stay current in both your content area and in pedagogy. You are a life-long learner.

9. You model respect, good manners and professional behavior to students and adults at all times.

10. You enjoy your students and your job in spite of the long hours, hard work and occasional heartbreak.

[Boxcar]

You get to know the most effective ways to manage your students' challenging behaviours. (I made progress in this one today! I can't stop smiling...)

You see lightbulbs switch on and can go on that for the next couple weeks!

[mercygate]

You are flexible enough to capitalize on a spontaneous "teaching moment" without derailing your planned content -- or at least you can re-channel the planned content so as not to destroy the syllabus for the long term.

[Maoman1]

You don't get off topic with your teaching unless you can get back on track in time to finish what you started

[Maoman1]

You are merciful and give your students every chance you can to stay on task, get in that missing homework, and to learn what you are teaching.

[Maoman1]

Sorry, I have a few of these.

You get to see your students go on into life and hear about them being successful in their life, and if they come back to see you.

[Boxcar]

You let your students know you are proud of them. I do this A LOT with my preschoolers. They just make me so happy when I see them using thier words and stuff. It especially makes you feel good to see the ones who have been struggling have a good morning. As a teacher, you have to let them know that you see it and celebrate with them.

[Maoman1]

You work so hard with your least successful student and they finally get what you are teaching them. I kind of tutor kids in my math class and my physical science class. When they get it, it makes me feel like I am on the right track. :)

[Boxcar]

You know when to look the other way and let something slide.

You know when to let a student be clingy and when to push the self-help skills. (Yeah, I know - preschool again.)

You remain professional and don't cross the line. This can be a hard balancing act between caring/friendly and not getting too involved. You can't "save" every student.

[merrynl]

You give them candy and let them color... wait... wrong thread. :p Some of the teachers I taught with last year thought those were both good ways to teach students in high school. GRR!

You are consistent in policies in your classroom.

You help your students to understand that treating students fairly and equally does not necessarily mean that everyone gets the exact same thing; different students need different things at times to help them succeed.

[Boxcar]

I like the last one! We use individual planning for our kids, and sometimes we get the "Its not fair!" bit.

You remember what the students tell you and ask about it later. Like, one of my students told me he was going to his grandma's house after school. I'll be sure to ask him about it on Monday.

[EHE]

Ok, you totally stole my idea, way to be really original lol. I'm joking though, I guess if I have to add one to your list, I would say, they are ORIGINAL, they don't take things from just textbooks or other teachers. :laugh:

By the way, you had better add something to mine jerk! (still kidding ;))

[Boxcar]

You know when to have a free or different day! On the first nice day of the year, I like to throw my plans out the window and teach outside. Spring is too pretty of a time to be indoors.

[Ebeth]

Your students come back and tell you that they are still using your Reading and Math strategies because even in the higher grades it is what works the best.

[Ebeth]

You give them boundaries and have them set goals, at the end of the year you see what an amazing change that occured within that child.