Good teaching is as much what you do as it is what you say. I think good teaching is the act of a person that has the skill, ability and flexibility to capitalize on “teachable moments” Good Teaching requires flexibility. Teaching is dynamic and requires the ability to make changes in mid stream. If you have it on the plan and another door opens, take it if it applies to your class.
The reason for the differences in what good teaching is, we are all different and what is good varies from person to person.
Scott,
ReplyDeleteI decided not to read any blogs before I wrote but after reading yours, I wish that I had added flexibility. You are so right that a good teacher can go with the flow. It is funny because I am actually ahead of my plan right now and was just thinking this morning that I wish I had spent a little more time on some things that students were struggling with. I felt like I had to move on because I wanted to finish the GADOE standards but just realized that I maybe should have been taking more advantage of those teachable moments.
After reading your blog, I think this may be the #1 characteristic of a good teacher. If we were not able to be able to adapt to the environment, then we would not be able to teach our best. Different groups of students require different things and we have to understand that.
Great point made, Scott!!!!!
I agree Scott. I often find myself changing midway through a lesson. Sometimes an opportunity arises that we need to take and veer from our carefully structured path. This is different from last year when I had a plan and stuck with it, because it was my first year and I was scared to death to change my plan. This year the students are benefiting greatly from my more free flow style. When those teachable moments happen, we have to take advantage of them. Our reasoning may all differ a little, but one thing I think we can all agree on is that our experiences in industry play a major part in the way we instruct and conduct our classes.
ReplyDeleteI am in agreement with you Scott. I think that it is not only important what we say, but also what we do. Our students watch us and just as with our children, we have to be cognizant of the lessons, academically as well as morally. I also think, and as I mentioned in my post, that good teaching does involve, skill, ability, and flexibility. Some of our days are full of suprises and we have to be flexible in order to be able to flow and not get frustrated and overwhelmed. Also organization and prioritization are important. We also have to be open to change or in other words as you've stated, flexible. Teaching is very complex and we must adhere to the GA DOE standards, which I knew nothing about prior to my first year of teaching. Adequate preparation as well as having a good mentor are also key to good teaching and being successful.
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