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Posted: Jan 23 2009 09:02 pm

So I'm currently in school to get my teaching credential--planning to teach high school English and Social Science (history and government.) Since most of the people here are quite intelligent folks (who may or may not have been served well by standardized education), I thought I'd ask what everyone looks for in a good teacher. What have teachers done in the past that you liked? What have they done that made you hate their guts? As someone who's going to be working in a classroom very soon, it could only help to hear your thoughts.

Posted: Jan 23 2009 09:30 pm

Please refer to Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher" video. That is all.

Posted: Jan 23 2009 09:37 pm

Milhouse wrote:

Please refer to Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher" video. That is all.

The thing I love about this site is just when I think I am going to state something clever, I scroll down and someone has beaten me to the punch.

Seriously though, you are in the military so I will break it down like this. When I was a young PFC in the Marines I hated the senior Marines who would treat me like shit and hide behind their rank. I vowed that when I picked up rank I would not be a douche like them. I have since picked up that rank and have learned that you have to give respect to earn respect. Think of all the shitty teachers you ever had and just do the opposite of what they did. Treat your students how you wanted to be treated in high school, with respect. Also, the Van Halen thing too.

Posted: Jan 23 2009 10:30 pm

Definitely the Van Halen thing, but my favorite teachers were just really cool, and most importantly, easy to approach. In grade 12 my dad had a heart attack (his second), and I had to leave halfway through the day because I couldn't take being at school. I went back after the day was over and talked to all the teachers whose classes I missed and the thing that sticks out most is that when I talked to my History teacher, I talked for probably a solid 20 minutes, just because he was so approachable.

Posted: Jan 23 2009 11:17 pm

Be funny. Even if you aren't, making lame jokes (though do try) help break the ice and make you seem more of a relaxed teacher. Be fun and have fun. BUT! Also have several strict rules, so they do not walk all over you. Yelling at them might clash with the FUN thing, so you will have to learn how to balance everything.

My favorite teachers are like that. And, if my art degree continues to elude me like it is doing and I go for my teaching degree, that is the kind of teacher I will try to be.

Being hot helps too.
(I had to add that. Everyone else did. I just want to be cool. Sad

)

Posted: Jan 23 2009 11:20 pm

You sir OBVIOUSLY need to listen to some Van Halen!

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Don't be one of those teachers who reads the material the day before a class and then just regurgitates it back to students. If you care about the students learning, you will need to bring passion to the class and know the material as though you had lived it. The best teachers I ever had were able to convey information to a class in a way that Wikipedia never could.

It is important to remember how available information is now. Kids don't need a verbal encyclopedia. Instead they need someone to make things meaningful and useful.

Posted: Jan 24 2009 12:31 am

I found the best teachers were the ones:

-that were funny
-that gave a shit about the material
-that knew the material back and forth and presented it that way, rather than direct from textbook. This style of teaching pisses me off, if only because it suggests the teacher is an empty suit barking factoids from a book that, in theory, any asshole can read and be just as qualified
-that you do like my old 8th grade english teacher and give extra credit points to the first person that raised their hand after you said a curseword.

Posted: Jan 24 2009 12:50 am

I'll list my favorite non-elementary school teachers and why they were great.

Grade 7:
*Ms. Nip- knew her stuff and I could always talk to her
* Mr. Todd- knew his stuff and was FUNNY

Grade 8:
* Ms. Canuel- HOT

Grade 9:
* Mr. Schmidt- never once did I see him look in a textbook. EVER.

Grade 10:
* Mr. Klettke- lame funny, and knew his stuff, and I could always talk to him
* Mr. Pink- the most hilariously bitter little man I've ever met

Grade 11:
* Mr. Fritche- Crazy crazy son of a bitch. He knew his history like nothin', and was hilarious. AND he gave me my name Wink

* that Chem teacher- HOT

Grade 12:
* Mr. Sigaty- lame funny, knew his stuff, and I could talk to him
* Mr. Raddysh- my crazy awesome guitar teacher. Nuff said.
* Ms. Morris- so into Literature, and like Mr. Fritche, way past old enough to retire.
* Ms. Blaak- HOT, knew her stuff, and I could talk to her about anything. I still talk to her online sometimes.

In terms of university, my favorite art profs are the ones that are soooo passionate. Shelley Stefan comes to mind right away. She made me want to be a better artist, and I am a better artist now, just because she was so into what she was doing, teachign art for the sake of making art.

Title: Titlating Joined: Dec 17 2007 Posts: 5042

My favorite teachers always a good mixture of classroom discussions and assignments so you aren't only talking the whole time but also aren't overloaded with work. I've never hated any teachers as long as they know the material are willing to help if needed.

Posted: Jan 24 2009 01:51 am

dont sleep w/your students.

but on a serious note, be laid back, but firm.

offer to be available, but dont be a pushover.

allow music, but be diverse about it.

Posted: Jan 24 2009 01:59 am

I've found that the worst teachers:

-Completely dismiss your ideas. I'm not talking about a math class where it's right-or-wrong, I'm talking about how your teacher completely shuts down your elaborate analysis on a poem in 10th grade Honors English.
-Have no sense of humor. As people were walking into class (the bell hadn't rang yet), I tried making a polite joke with my 9th grade Algebra teacher. She returned my good-natured joke with a blank stare and a "Mr. Richter, please sit down", making me feel like a complete douchebag for even considering speaking to her.
-Try to shove their political beliefs down the students' throats. It's just dangerous and risky, and the teacher is bound to piss off at least one person in the room.
-Don't explain. I've had quite a few teachers that simply state "this is how it is", without explaining WHY.

Posted: Jan 24 2009 02:18 am

Ross Rifle wrote:

I'll list my favorite non-elementary school teachers and why they were great.

Grade 7:
*Ms. Nip- knew her stuff and I could always talk to her
* Mr. Todd- knew his stuff and was FUNNY

Grade 8:
* Ms. Canuel- HOT

Grade 9:
* Mr. Schmidt- never once did I see him look in a textbook. EVER.

Grade 10:
* Mr. Klettke- lame funny, and knew his stuff, and I could always talk to him
* Mr. Pink- the most hilariously bitter little man I've ever met

Grade 11:
* Mr. Fritche- Crazy crazy son of a bitch. He knew his history like nothin', and was hilarious. AND he gave me my name Wink

* that Chem teacher- HOT

Grade 12:
* Mr. Sigaty- lame funny, knew his stuff, and I could talk to him
* Mr. Raddysh- my crazy awesome guitar teacher. Nuff said.
* Ms. Morris- so into Literature, and like Mr. Fritche, way past old enough to retire.
* Ms. Blaak- HOT, knew her stuff, and I could talk to her about anything. I still talk to her online sometimes.

In terms of university, my favorite art profs are the ones that are soooo passionate. Shelley Stefan comes to mind right away. She made me want to be a better artist, and I am a better artist now, just because she was so into what she was doing, teachign art for the sake of making art.

Wait, your guitar teacher's name is Raddysh? He is awesome on that alone! I am now considering changing my name to SSgt Awesomysh.

Posted: Jan 24 2009 04:08 am

Posted: Jan 24 2009 07:03 am

Ross Rifle wrote:

* Mr. Pink- the most hilariously bitter little man I've ever met

Please tell me people would bombard him with Reservoir Dogs quotes on a daily basis.

Posted: Jan 24 2009 03:35 pm

I tried it once...I got shut down pretty quick.

Posted: Jan 24 2009 04:28 pm

I love that Van Halen song lmao. I also appreciate the feedback, guys. It really is helpful to hear.

I can't do anything about the hot aspect, sadly (short of have surgery Wink

), but the rest is great. Fortunately, I am teaching subjects I love, and really do have a passion for; I don't think that will be too hard to convey. Since I'm teaching government, the reminder about political views was great--I know better than to push them, but sometimes we all get carried away, and I can't afford to be that person when I'm in charge of a class.

One other question for y'all, if you aren't sick of this topic yet: I noticed a lot of people mentioned being firm and setting boundaries. This is the part that's most difficult for me (and for all new teachers, I think): balancing the 'being cool and open minded' with the 'sit down, its time to be respectful and listen' aspect of the job. Most new teachers I see go too far one way or the other; they try to be everyone's buddy and get walked all over, or they become authoritarian Nazis where the class listens but secretly (or not so secretly) hates them. Anyone have any advice when it comes to that? I should probably also mention I'm at a slight authority disadvantage because I'm short. Not just semi-short, but like, under 5 feet short (4'10'' to be exact). Its easier to be a short woman than a short man I'm sure, but its still something I have to take into account.

Posted: Jan 24 2009 04:48 pm

I have a friend that height and she's the coolest girl I know.

Either way, use common sense. Create a list of rules for the class, like most teachers do, but don't be stupid. Stick to those rules, but remember that there's always exceptions. And allow mp3 players if kids are just doing work. That always irked the fuck out of me, not being allowed to listen to music EVER. A lot of people, myself included, work better with some beatage. Just enforce that it can't be loud enough for others to hear. And don't be afraid to revoke priviledges. That earns respect and shows that you aren't to be fucked with. But don't revoke them forever, maybe for the day or something.

You're teaching high school so you'll only have the occasional a-hole, as opposed to like middle school or junior high where everyone's awkward and cocky.