Show Students get opportunity to acknowledge teachers Kathryn Jones Globe Weekly News Ok So you hate writing Writing is one of those things you have to do doin doin doin in English speech history even yoga But what if you discovered in writing about your favorite teacher at that some other wise soul later chose to take the class you recommended recommended recommended rec rec- rec- rec because you took the time to speak up Not sure of what we want to hear Here are some ideas A great teacher has a sense of the high stakes or value of intellectual senior lecturer lecturer lecturer lec lec- lec- lec life said Helen Pringle in politics and international relations at the University of New South Wales NSW There was no sense that my teachers were neutral as to the important questions Or that they were dispassionate Does your teacher ask deep and probing questions Questions that are not easily answered that take thought and attention Write about it Your great teacher may have a knack for on hands-on activities that not only get you thinking but keep you thinking well after the class has ended How does this teacher balance balance balance bal bal- ance lecture and on hands-on experiences experiences experiences for example Matthew Gilson a science teacher who lives in Miami Florida believes that rather than stand in the front of the room and lecture students learn more if science feels real to them lab Gilson relics on dissections work and the occasional magic trick to explain subjects like genetics and the parts of the cell for example How does your science professor teach science to make it interesting Stan Sherrington who taught architecture in Britain was regarded by his students as a man totally committed to their interests a part of their daily lives and always ready with praise or constructive criticism Great teachers have a great affection affection affection tion for their students and sadness when those students depart Pringle said Do you have a teacher who you were sure cared for you and your future success All of my great teachers refused to teach to exactly what students wanted them to teach They taught not just to the students student's present desires but to the possibilities latent in the spirit or the soul of each student stu stu- dent Do you have a teacher who lit your future career path If not for this teacher would you perhaps have no idea you had a talent for art Jason Kamras a sixth-grade sixth teacher from Washington DC D.C. believes students simply want opportunity to pursue their dream and he helps them to do just that Kamras who was declared National Teacher of the Year in April of 2005 admits teaching isn't always easy but he doesn't dwell on the neg neg- His focus is on the faces in inthe inthe inthe the classroom Do you feel you are a better person in some way because of the instruction instruction instruction tion you have received Have you developed more confidence because of the experience This list of teachers and their qualities qualities qualities is by no means conclusive Perhaps your teachers teacher's talent speaks more on after class study groups and encouragement than on class presentation presentation presentation presen presen- tation or in class work If so write Who knows You may decide you like it |