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Five Keys To Teaching Success |
Success stands tiptoe on tomorrow, peering at today. Teachers are pioneers forging trails in the wasteland of life. Sometimes it is essential to traverse a beaten path. If making a difference is the ultimate goal of the pied pipers of the educational system, then there are five keys that are integral to teaching success. People play a part. Relationships are significant to any job. Children belong to a microcosm; and they mirror the society at large. These children are like grains of sands washed by the surging tide. Some waves bring debris' others may provode treasures for beachcombers. Those who sweep the beach with a metal detector, or look for sunrise tellin, smooth stones or brain corals, build sandcastles or relax in the cool sand all leave a lasting impression. They have touched the sand; and it will never be the same because of the impact, Sand is utilized in many facets of life including construction, glassmaking and pearls. Even if you do not meet your students again, others will... in the present and future. In addition to students, there are parents, colleagues and others who may be intertwined with students or in your life. There is a saying:" If you wan' know me, come live wit' me." Teachers live with the whole community! On a small island, everybody knows you or knows of you. Let their encounter with you or knowledge of you be a stepping stone on the path to success. Purpose keeps a teacher motivated to face the challenges of each day. One simple question is: Why am I here in this classroom? Forget the money factor. A plumber may work for an hour and earn one hundred and fifty dollars or more. A mechanic can reap one thousand dollars in a day, according to the intensity of the job. Try selling fish or fruits. How many teachers are rolling in dough because they are in a lucrative profession? Those who see their job as solely one of imparting knowledge can be declared redundant. Video and cassette tapes, the radio, television, books, magazines and the internet are powerful resources and tools. Thus, a teacher needs a concise yet precise purpose. Besides the academic goals, every lesson should be interwoven with the potential for growth. What progress do you expect to acheve in a given time frame? Does this upward mobility include you as well as your students? |
Plans demand preparation. Some of the best lessons are spontaneous and thus unwritten! A nature walk is exhilarating and inspirational. Few students would decline such an outdoor experience. Yet, even if two classes travelled the exact route and were provided with the same information, their experience would be different. One class may discover all the caterpillars and see a thrasher and ring neck dove. Another class may locate the ants' nest, find the bromiliads and cross their finger when they see crows. Nevertheless, monuments and milestones are essential. Fascinate them with intriguing Bahiamiana like the woman tongue tree, stimulate their thought process with the bottlebrush tree and allow them to marvel at the work of the woodpecker on the sapodilla tree. At the end of the lesson, the participants should have notes and be able to file a report, whether written or oral. Principles are fundamental truths, laws or values. Take a stance for righteousness. Teachers are models. They may not be flawless. Striving for perfection is as essential as attaining excellence. Students are like the blind men of Hindustani. They perceived the elephant from different perspectives; and they had differing experiences. In spite of the scrutiny, there should be an aura of amazement. Treat students fairly. Demonstrate that yu love them and care about their welfare, their success in life. Even if they disappoint you ( a minute minority), maintain your confidence in their ability to win in spite of unsurmountable odds. |
Persistence is the ability to forge ahead even when all the gauges read empty. Those who have never travelled in a car with a gauge that reads below empty may be ignorant of this phenomenal experience. Thoough some may consider it foolhardy, when a gauge is broken or malfunctioning, what is seen is not necessarily true. On the other hand, many cars are made with a reserve fuel tank. How do you know when what you see is real and true? There is no hard and fast rule. Taking a chance can be a negative or positive experience which can be dominated by faith or fear. Teachers are humans who need and utilize high octane mental and physical energy. Many days will seem futile; and some will be downright enervating. Trudge on,. Rest. Awaken refreshed and tackle the next task on your agenda of nation building. persistence will suffice in every facet of your life. It is not enough to begin. Stay in the race to the finish ... and win! ## FFB ## |
