04/25/2019 Thoughts on “is the great American teacher dead?”

After reading and pondering on the paper written by Dr. Ivers, I noticed that one fo the focal points of the text was to show teachers and educators how a classroom can be a place that provides meaningful teaching experiences for both students and teachers. How reducing or keeping at a healthy level the affective filters and making the classroom an enjoyable environment that foments knowledge.

Some people have an innate propensity to become great teachers, the intuitively develop teaching techniques that makes the learning process more enjoyable and efficient. But natural skill is not enough. Anyone can be a great teacher by applying the teaching of Dr. Ivers. Through reading and practice.

In my experience, with teaching English to young children, I’ve learned that enthusiasm is contagious. But enthusiasm should be applied to all ages and to all kinds of subjects. Different ages require different deliveries, but in essence it’s the same concept, deliver with energy and enthusiasm and the students will respond positively.

Another great suggestion presented by the author was the 10 minute rule, which states that students attention need to be rebooted “every ten minutes or so by inserting something interesting, exciting, or engaging into the lesson”. I personally like to insert games appropriate for different ages in my classes, and make them fun and interesting, some games can last a little longer than other, but the 10 minute rule seem to be appropriate most of the times.

The way we deliver our lessons is also something that should be considered when preparing the lessons. I like to practice my lessons before I teach them for the first time, I consider who my audience is, how they will react, their age and their background. I remember the best teachers I had were not particularly by what they were telling me, but by the way they were telling me.

I believe that the great teacher is not dead, we only need to adapt to out time and circumstances and continue to apply the resources around us, delivering with enthusiasm and caring for our students.