Any Teachers/Students out There? - Comments

@ gatesguardian.
I completely agree! The older we get, the worse these younger generations get. But like, I'm a true believer that a kid is who he/she is thanks to the parents. So really, you can't blame them.

@ arrivals.
Lol. I feel like kids these days are just NOT what they were like when I was a kid. It's like people have forgotten about positive values and manners, like a simple "please" and "thank you." I don't live in a rough area of town or anything like that but the kids are turning into little monsters.

@ gatesguardian.
Ahahah I don't think I can either! Hence why I'm teaching adults >.<

@ arrivals.
No problem! I originally was going to school to be an English teacher because of him. BUT I worked at summer camp a few years in a row and realized that I don't like kids as much as I thought I did. Lol I mean, I think I can handle high school kids, but elementary, NO.

@ gatesguardian.
Loved it! Thanks for sharing!
It's so true, sharing makes it feel more meaningful!

Who was your favorite teacher?
- Mr. Vogel.
Why? What was different about him/her?
- He was my Creative Writing teacher my sophomore year of high school. He got me more into writing. I always loved writing, but he got me really into it. Like, pulled me out of neutral and helped me get thoughts into words. On Fridays we had "sharing circle" and we had to share something, whether it was a favorite song, poem, novel, whatever. And sometimes he would share things and it was always cool to see a teacher become a real person. Lol if you know what I mean.
What's something you like that teachers do?
- Talk. Tell stories. Give me small glimpses at their lives so they become individual people and not just "a teacher I had in high school."

(my comment posted twice)

@ parapluie bleu
That's true! Besides, teaching is a very trial-and-error kind of job. You gotta test the waters and see what works or doesn't work!

Then you're already on your way to becoming a great teacher! ^.^

@ parapluie bleu
Agreed, agreed! That's definitely something my company has emphasised on during our training weeks. We gotta cater to everyone! No exceptions.

I really want to be that kind of teacher who helps her students beyond. Not just on the things that are her job, but above that--go the extra mile!

Hi, I'm currently studying to be an English Teacher myself. So I can't help with the teaching aspect. But from a student's perspective...

I don't think I've ever had a favorite teacher. I've had a collective of them, though. My favorite teachers were always just really nice people who seemed to genuinely care about my education. Not just my ability to pass tests, but that I fully understood what they were teaching. That is probably also the biggest piece of advice I can give (and my goals for teaching when I get to that point). Everyone learns in different ways (visual, hearing, kinesthetic). Teachers who take that into account seem to have better results (in both general understanding AND tests). I have noticed that when teachers rely too heavily on one style of teaching (lecturing) they're really only teaching for one type of learner. Really make an effort to teach in different ways. A lecture might help a hearing learner, but a video might help a visual learner, and an application worksheet/walkthrough might help a kinesthetic learner. Also, most people's learning style is a combination of these. So utilizing all learning styles really benefits everyone. And the more you utilize each style, the more you will see which students need extra help and what you can do to help shape their education individually.

I also tend to get teachers who will pick you apart without helping you understand what you did wrong. A genuine interest in their knowledge (and application of that knowledge) will guide you in the right direction. It is difficult with large groups of classes, but I think if you can take the time to get to know each individual and help them succeed, you will be successful.

I wish you the best of luck!

@ dawn of light
Thank you v much! My personality is like that, very much energetic. I hope my students will appreciate it as much as you do!

@ subs
THANK YOU!! I totally agree. I think that's one of the challenges I'll have: having the balance with these personal student relationships. I'm that kind of person who's always nice, and sometimes that can really be a disadvantage because I'm willing to go further than most people when it comes to helping others.

@ champion;
Ahahahah, I'm off bonus points then. Thanks a lot for your response! I guess that'll be tricky whenever I'm not in the mood to teach but hey, fake it 'till you make it!

My favorite teacher in high school was my English teacher, Dawson. He was really expressive and laidback. He made an effort to listen to his students about everything (I mean everything, he always knew what his students were talking about). He encouraged groupwork, and working in groups with people you didn't know well. As long as you listened to what he was saying and did your work, he was an easygoing teacher and went relatively easy on you.

My favorite teacher in college was my philosophy teacher. He was similarly laidback and had a lot of fun engaging with his students. He was very engaging and expressive, and as long as you listened to him you did well in his class. If you took notes on what he said, you passed, easy as that.

I guess my advice as a teacher is to be engaging and expressive. The more energy you put into teaching, the more your students will be interested. The more you listen to them and engage in interactions with them, the more they will want to listen to what you say, as well. Also, bonus points for being an old white guy, I guess?

Who was you favorite teacher?
My biology teacher in college.

Why? What was different about him/ her?
When I first started the class, I wasn't too fond of biology because of my class in high school. It was boring and a little difficult for me, at least it was in high school. I thought when I was going in I would have to memorize small information that I would never need in my future career. But I came out of the semester loving biology; it was fun, interesting, and not as confusing it was in high school. She made the class fun and exciting for me, and it's something that I've always looking for in a good teacher.

What's something you like that teachers do?
I've heard of teachers (as a future teacher myself) not caring whether their students learn anything new; they just want the school year or semester to end and never want to see their students again. Of teachers who play favorites with those who are smart and ignore the students who really need help. Of teachers who have no idea what they are doing and have no interest in helping their students become better students.

A good teacher, from all of the classes I've taken and from experience in school, cares enough about their students to help them become better people and better students while maintaining a sort of professional relationship with them; it's easy to become attached to your students on a personal level, and while a teacher should know their students on a personal level, they have to be aware that they are only a teacher and not their parents. A good teacher is always learning with and from their students. They aren't afraid to tell their students they don't know the answer to a question; they are willing to learn with their students.

P.S. You won't be perfect when you first start out. No one is; not even the best teacher you've ever had was perfect in the beginning. In the beginning, you will find things that will work and won't work out for you. If things don't work out, don't stress out. It's your job as a teacher to be aware when something isn't working so you can change things around to make it work. If you need any help, don't be afraid to ask your peers. More than not they will be willing to help. Remember, they were in your position once, and they will have some advice on what worked for them. Good luck!

uni student here

Who was your favourite teacher?
My high school english teacher!

Why? What was different about him/her?
My english teacher was different from most of the teachers in my school’s english department. She was charismatic and very lively. She taught english in an energetic matter

What's something you like that teachers do?
I really like it when teachers take the time to reply to emails and meet up with students. I also like it when teachers create assignments where it’s some hands-on type of work. Of course, this is limited for many reasons (i.e. big lectures, depends on the course). I just like it when I get to work on something different compared to, let's say, writing essays (again it depends on the course).

@ Domi
Thank you so, so much for your input! She does sound like an amazing teacher!

I've been slightly concerned about that because I'm gonna be working and studying, so I'm gonna be pressed for time. I'm afraid that could reflect on my relationship with students whenever I feel stressed for not having time. And then I'll end up choosing not to have the time to care, y'know? It's a tough thing that I definitely want to succeed at!

Hello! Student here currently in college :)

Students!
- Who was your favourite teacher?
My creative writing teacher from high school (senior year)

- Why? What was different about him/her?
She seemed like she genuinely cared for her students. Whenever she needed to scold someone she did it privately and asked what was wrong before telling them they're in trouble. She never censored us, and whenever we had discussions about controversial topics and there were vastly different opinions she made sure both were heard. She was hilarious, hyper, creative, and a genuinely nice person. I remember when I missed a deadline for something and I came to her freaking out. She helped me calm down, I explained to her what happened, and she let me turn it in with full credit. Another time she noticed I was trying not to cry one day and she's one of those people where you can just let everything out and feel fine. I told her what happened and she let me not work for the rest of the day.

- What's something you like that teachers do?
Obviously make it obvious you care about your students. I wish I could tell you which teaching methods I like but honestly, it's different for each teacher. Some of my teachers used power points and I hated those lessons. Another used power points and he ended up being one of the best teachers I've ever had. One would freelance everything - she was terrible. Another would freelance - she was great. As long as you know what's right for you, it'll help all students. Good luck!

@ Audrey T
Hello fellow inspirer of minds!
Mostly adults.

Hello. Teacher here!

What age-group are you teaching?