Also Not Making the Top 10: Memorable Traits 81-90

Here are the next 10 attributes and characteristics of the teachers that were identified memorable by their students. Each cluster of attributes were students identifying/describing their "favoritest" teacher. In developing that "memorableness" for your students, consider incorporating them into the classroom and interactions you have with students.

81. Plays//Skits

Definition: adjective: a dramatic composition or piece, as on the stage; drama, a short comedy sketch or piece of humorous writing, especially a parody.

Key Thoughts for Application: drama, acting, fun, performance-based learning, parody, pastiche, satire; spoof

Plays and skits are dynamic ways to incorporate the total learning experience. It allows the students to plan for the learning, direct their dramatization of facts and information, incorporate the task of memorizing information, which is a total English Language Arts experience. It is more of the application of the skills and facts in the learning. Students naturally learn through listening, speaking, reading, and writing their actions of performing.

82. Sharing

Definition: adjective: have a portion of (something) with another or others, give a portion of (something) to another or others, use, occupy, or enjoy (something) jointly with another or others.

Key Thoughts for Application: split, divide, apportion, divide up, allocate, portion out, ration out, parcel out, measure out; carve up, divvy up, unselfish, time sharing, interdependence, independence, mutuality, having in common, social intercourse, distribution.

This aspect of the learning/working in the classroom is the openness that the teacher/leader displays to get the students/employees to engage and own the conversation. Common Core sets a standard of 60% student talk/interaction in the learning each day, so kids don’t just sit-and-get the information. They digest what is taught and do something with it.

83. New

Definition: not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered, original, it has never been seen or discovered or invented before.

Key Thoughts for Application: fresh, freshly, newly,  novel, original, unexampled, unprecedented, unaccustomed, new-fangled, raw, inexperienced, unweathered, young, early, refreshing, recent, radical

There are so many aspects of the “new” feature of the classroom and the learning experience. I have submitted some synonyms to look over and capture for your presentation style to keep the newness in the classroom. They walk in as blank canvases ready for your masterpiece which results from the strokes you paint each day in learning and instruction.

84. Nice

Definition: pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance, exhibiting courtesy and politeness, socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous, done with delicacy and skill. 

Key Thoughts for Application: Good, pleasant, gracious, courteous, polite, decent, respectable, skillful, precise

This character is the one that is the most needed at schools and in the world in general. It is treating others like you want to be treated. Common decency and rules of etiquette have been missing in so many of the events and aspects in our lives. Please, thank you, and you are welcome should be the basis for the behaviors in everything we do. Manners used in days past seem to be absent now and they are a base of a good character program.

85. Difficult

Definition: not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure, hard to control

Key Thoughts for Application: Hard, demanding, challenging, ambitious, arduous, awkward, embarrassing, sticky, unenviable, baffling, elusive, problematic, tough, tricky, fractious, hard-fought, herculean, rugged, serious, troublesome, effort-full, hard

This area is sometimes called Rigor which people feel is needed in learning. Starting from the onset of school, life becomes more difficult for everyone each day. We leave behind the playfulness of our youth and enter the school of work. The demands of learning and performance are in contrast to enjoyment and fun. The trick to becoming memorable is being able to blend both of these together. When we have a purpose and a meaning in what we do, our efforts seem easier. The amount of energy captured has an end result of satisfaction in success. We also are tired because of the extreme effort provided for the fun we are experiencing. "Don’t make things hard. Make them difficult and let the learner work at it with support" (Ray Hunt).

86. Personal

Definition: adjective: concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality, particular to a given individual

Key Thoughts for Application: Individualized, personalized, In-person, own, private, physical

  

Each person has their own needs. The trick of being memorable is to make sure all feel that they matter, and the result of the learning feels valuable and meant for them. In years past, we had an individual continuum for checking off skills for each person, and now use learning standards in the same way. As you incorporate more engaging techniques, the students will feel more ownership, more connection to the meaning and value for themselves, and be able to get the feedback of their progress to take the risks in interaction in the classroom.

87. Book

Definition: adjective: Book is a widely-known word with a whole lot of less well-known meanings. The noun book can refer to a bunch of pages bound together, as in a book you read, but also a book of tickets or stamps, a section of a larger work of literature (like a book or novel), or the written script of a stage play.

Key Thoughts for Application: content, information, volume, folio, journal, novel, notebooks, textbooks, diary, scrapbook, album, photographs, chronicles, reports

This one of the few content driven learning that was identified. It is the visual representation of the learning for reference or reading that the student can use to enhance the learning and lectures. It falls into the data/scientific aspect of learning that ties into skill-based learning and subject matter. Mainly facts and information.

88. Listener

Definition: someone who listens attentively, a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses (eyes and ears and posture)

  

Key Thoughts for Application: attender, auditor, hearer, beholder, observer, perceiver, perceptive

Teachers and leaders traditionally are the ones that have the knowledge and dispense it to others. One of the best ways to show interest, caring, empathy, and trust is to actively listen to what is said with no other thought and the sole purpose of becoming a sounding board to another person. Put your pencils/pens down, log off your computers, close the book you are reading, and give you full attention with your senses to what is being said. Be in the moment!

89. Trust

Definition: adjective: the trait of believing in the honesty and reliability of others.

Key Thoughts for Application: Trustfulness, trusting, faith, belief, credibility, confidence in someone (thing), certainty to perform, friendship, reliance, bank on, anticipate action, stable, rely on, expect, commit, confide, entrust, allow, permit, hope, wish,

This is a big one for teachers that are memorable. Students come to school ready to learn, they believe that it will be fun and no one will do them harm or wrong. The adults are in charge of their life, will consider their needs, and never let them down. Trust isn’t given, it is earned. One slight deviation ruins the many hours of building trust. It is a delicate balance of the want to do in life and have to do in life. Once a child is “wronged” you have a very difficult time rebuilding that bridge of learning over the chasm you just made with that instructional and personal indiscretion.

90. Enjoyable

Definition: adjective: affording satisfaction or act of receiving pleasure from something

Key Thoughts for Application: gratifying, pleasurable, pleasant, fulfilled, you want it more, when you are having a good time, you like doing it, joie de vivre (a keen enjoyment of living), gusto, relish, zest,

“All work and no play makes Jack dull boy” is a proverb. It means that without time off from work, a person becomes both bored and boring. Teachers need to find the joy of learning that makes it enjoyable and not seem like work. Then work will look easy and fun. and creating higher motivation and efforts to succeed. When you enjoy something, you like doing it. Enjoyment is a word for the pleasure that comes from enjoyable activities. Lots of people get enjoyment from reading, seeing movies, watching TV, and playing video games. Hanging out with friends is another common form of enjoyment. Enjoyment is the opposite of feelings like boredom and misery. Lets have students feel like they are hanging out with you and don't want to have any instructional period end. When students want to come in at recess and break time to talk/meet/help you you are doing it right.

Stephen Ahle Principal
Educator
2006 National Distinguished Principal
National Association of Elementary School Principals