[March Baby]

a teacher that kids enjoy so much that they are chomping at the bit to get to school. How can I become a challenging exciting teacher. I am a visual learner so if any of you "Teachers of the Year" have a website or videos that you would be willing to PM me that would be great. Thank yoy very much.

[Rubyslippers]

That's one thing I dislike about teaching, esp. in a small town...there is always competition to be "the teacher" . I gave up on that years ago. Just be the best teacher you can and that is what's important.

[grade3teacher]

First of all you're not going to please or be liked by everyone. No matter how wonderful you are there is someone that will find fault.

As for teacher of the year. In the past five years the ones that have been nominated from my building have been a joke. They put on a superficial wonderful front so the parents are happy, but the kids aren't really learning anything.

You may very well have the right intentions to be all you can be, for the most part it's instinct, experience, compassion, and an open mind that makes a good teacher.

Good luck in you quest

[laughoften]

I've never been a teacher of the year, mostly because, well, I haven't been teaching more than 2 years yet. But I do have kids that always ask "Can I come with you?" "Can I be in your class?" I guess what I can tell you is that I believe in creating learning experiences for my students. What I remember from my own schooling is the things we DID not necessarily the things I learned. I just have this belief in making my students remember their time in elementary school as a place they loved the most. I expect a lot out of my students, and that pushes them very much. I don't settle for mediocre. I will say that I bring in materials, for example we did fractions and equivalent fractions with m&m's, I've done a lot of integrating of the subjects too. One thing my kids don't have, or most of them don't have, is someone to believe in them enough to believe in themselves, and all I'm trying to do is give them a chance to realize their experiences and their choices in them are what make them the people they will become.

If it gets me to Teacher of the Year someday, that's great, but if it guides half of the students I ever teach to a life different than they've grown up in, I'm more satisfied.

[areindl]

I think that if you are at the point that you want to be that teacher, you will try to do anything to be that teacher. I think that being genuine, caring and truly thinking about what is best for the student makes a good teacher. Also, a smile helps

One more thing- when I was student teacher the cooperating teacher that I had stressed RESPECTING the student! It's a strange concept as a lot of teachers think that having control over the students and respecting them can't go hand-in-hand- but they can! I think that if you respect them, they will respect you and WANT to be well behaved. They want to be loved and feel secure.

I hope that helps!

Oh, Wait! One MORE thing! Proteacher! Proteacher will help you by finding SUPER ideas that you never knew were around!

[math man]

If you love and respect them, let them see how hard you work.... they will do the same in return. I try to learn "just one" personal interest of each child, they will work so hard.

And last thing... stay away from the sad teachers that still think control is the answer.

[sunnydaze]

ALL HAVE MY VOTE..... TEACHERS OF THE YEAR... Just keep doin' what you do and they will ALWAYS remember that specil teacher who made a difference.


((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))