Good Teaching

I think "keeping it real" constitutes good teaching. In CTE, we are expected to teach industry standards, protocol and procedures along with real life experiences. Our students appreciate it when we factor in life skills and true life experiences into our lessons and this is what make what we teach and how we teach it so unique. No matter how many standards I cover and evidence based practices incorporated into each lesson, students still hunger for those "I remember the time" moments. Whenever I recall professional situations in class, the students are captivated and attentive.

"Keeping it real" not only refers to professional experiences but to those times when we as educators offer guidance as it relates to collegiate choices, financial aid preparation, completing an application and even confidential matters. Some of our students value the opinion of good teachers over those of their parents. Just this week-end one of my former students pledged my Sorority because of some of my influences on her while she was a high school student. I was able to write her letter of recommendation and Pin her during the induction ceremony. I felt as if I was welcoming my own child into my Sorority. Had I not been a good teacher, I would not have been able to experience this so soon.