Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the only thing I ask of a teacher is that she makes my kid want to learn, and keep her interested in school. I know that is a tall order for my ADHD kid, but over the years we had many teachers who did just that, so I know it is possible. This year is a total bust. Hoping for better for her in 6th grade.

Agree, and I am a teacher

Challenges every student in their class to be their best. I always thought I was terrible at math. Then I had a teacher who challenged me by calling me out on not doing the homework. She called on students constantly, so we knew we were going to have to do the work or be called out. I ended up in the 99th percentile in math tests that year. Best teacher ever!

Anonymous wrote:I know people bag teachers all the time, but I am seriously blown away by what it takes to teach today. Teachers in my kids school don't just lecture or give lessons at the board. They are doing small groupings, differentiating, constantly assessing the kids to see gaps in their knowledge, and handling a boat of special education accommodations. I see students sitting on bouncing balls and doing movement breaks and think wow. It's a lot better than when I was a kid.

People don't give enough kudos.

+100. Not a job I could do. Some of the young women who are teachers are amazing in what they are doing in their first job out of school. Older teachers have been wonderful too but I have been blown away by how much these young people can do so early in their career.

Finding an excellent teacher is like looking for a sewing needle at the beach.

Fosters a safe, respectful learning environment for all
Positive, encouraging, brings out the best in kids and other teachers
Effective classroom management skills and discipline as needed
Moves through material at a good pace and gives extra challenge to those who need it

Agree with this list along with motivating students and making lessons applicable to the real world. Videos are probably ok in moderation.

Patient
Attentive
Honest
Greet students with a smile at the door
Give explicit math lessons
Give explicit LA, SS and Science lessons
Did not yell at students
Communicative and respectful to me and my parents

Honestly, the only thing I ask of a teacher is that she makes my kid want to learn, and keep her interested in school. I know that is a tall order for my ADHD kid, but over the years we had many teachers who did just that, so I know it is possible. This year is a total bust. Hoping for better for her in 6th grade.

Anonymous wrote:You think a smile at the door is what makes a teacher excellent? Personally, I'd rather that my kids have a teacher that knows the material and how to teach it than be able to do a good Vanna White imitation.

Agree with you. But greeting a student at the door goes a long way.

what schools do your kids go to?

Why do you ask?

Anonymous wrote:You think a smile at the door is what makes a teacher excellent? Personally, I'd rather that my kids have a teacher that knows the material and how to teach it than be able to do a good Vanna White imitation.

what schools do your kids go to?

Only being assigned students who fit her teaching style...

Seriously, now - a excellent teacher is one who motivates her students. Usually these types have high energy and a love of their subject matter.

You think a smile at the door is what makes a teacher excellent? Personally, I'd rather that my kids have a teacher that knows the material and how to teach it than be able to do a good Vanna White imitation.

I know people bag teachers all the time, but I am seriously blown away by what it takes to teach today. Teachers in my kids school don't just lecture or give lessons at the board. They are doing small groupings, differentiating, constantly assessing the kids to see gaps in their knowledge, and handling a boat of special education accommodations. I see students sitting on bouncing balls and doing movement breaks and think wow. It's a lot better than when I was a kid.

People don't give enough kudos.

My junior high math teacher was excellent.

He had a way of teaching that made things fun and inspired us.

Example: One day, he took $100 from his pocket and said, "I want you to organize a hot dog business for one day at lunch time. I will not assist. If you turn a profit, we'll use it to throw ourselves a pizza party." Then we talked about the lessons learned in running a business.

He made us do our biorhythms before math contests and gave us "magic pencils" that had been used by every math team from our school for decades.

We were the best junior high math team in the state, and it was only a middling public school.

Still remembering my early ES:
Patient
Attentive
Honest
Greet students with a smile at the door
Give explicit math lessons
Give explicit LA, SS and Science lessons
Didn't use videos for instruction
Did not yell at students
Communicative and respectful to me and my parents

What's excellence in teaching for ya?