Still Good, But Not Cracking the Top 10: 71-80

As we count down the 100 Memorable Traits of teachers that students recall, the items fall into two distinct categories; the Art and the Science of teaching. The job of teacher centers on developing the academic, social, and emotional growth of our youth for 13 years into well adjusted and successful citizens. The science aspect of teaching/learning is pretty quantifiable. The Art is built more on the qualitative nature of life. We now see that learning skills and knowledge no longer serves our students well in the future of their careers and lives. Teaching must be more than just the facts and skills. Students must leave the educational world ready to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate beyond the basics of  multiple guess and bubbling in the answer of assessments of years past into life.

71. Inclusive

Definition: including or covering all the services, facilities, or items normally expected or required.

Key Thoughts for Application: all-inclusive, with everything included, comprehensive, in toto; overall, full, all-around, umbrella, blanket, across-the-board, catch-all, all-encompassing

Day in and day out we need to remember that we are there to teach and reach all kids. So many times a teacher will look to the class and some of them don’t want to learn, some are unmotivated, some are troubled in life and it carries over to school, and some may just be stubborn and refuse to work. The skill of an educator is the ability to get all students in the boat with them in order to ride on the educational cruise that all students deserve.

72. Desk Form/Shape

Definition: a piece of furniture with a flat or sloped surface and typically with drawers, at which one can read, write, or do other work.

Key Thoughts for Application: writing table, bureau, escritoire, secretaire, roll-top desk, carrel, workstation, worktable

Classroom set-ups have a distinct impact on the organization and operation of the classroom. It gives structure and order to move around and achieve. Those pieces of furniture and objects in the classroom are as important to the lesson plan and, in using the nautical theme above, are the ship to take for a successful voyage. When students are taken into consideration, the environment will have a major impact on building trust, establishing safety, and developing cooperation as a team to get the job done.

73. Hardworking

Definition: (of a person) tending to work with energy and commitment; diligent.

Key Thoughts for Application: diligent, industrious, conscientious, assiduous, sedulous, painstaking, persevering, unflagging, untiring, tireless, indefatigable, studious; keen, enthusiastic, zealous, busy,

Let us face it. The students that responded to the inquiry of “what makes a Teacher memorable” all were focused on the art/emotions/play/fun of their lives in the classroom. However, fun needs to be balanced by work, and in these days “Rigor” is one of the themes of successful learning programs. So as an educator I need to plan for activities that will push the students in hardworking learning activities that motivate and challenge, as well as give satisfaction for a job well done and enjoyed.

74. Success

Definition:  the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.

Key Thoughts for Application: favorable outcome, successfulness, successful result, triumph; Hollywood ending, blockbuster, winner, prosperity of knowledge

Time is precious in schools. We need to make sure we have a target in sight and hit a bullseye for all students each day. Every second, minute, hour or day wasted is lost for the life of the student and can never be recalled. That loss of times need to be higher on the teacher’s list and cannot be met with “oh well, I tried to reach them my best.” Success is in everyone’s best interest and is achieved better through what student want as well as what students need.

75. Stimulating

Definition: not easy; encouraging or arousing interest or enthusiasm. to rouse to action or effort, Invigorate, energize,

Key Thoughts for Application: arouse, activate, excite, animate, foster, galvanize, prompt, quicken, trigger, impel, goad, support motivate, inspire, incite, support, urge, fire up, stir up

I remember the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and the boredom that was shown in the lecture in the classroom “Bueller, Bueller, anybody, anybody?”. Stimulating students with their background knowledge and interests carries great weight in the eventual effort made (science and quantity) as well as the complexity,  thoroughness, and creativity of the project completed (art and quality). If they like being t school, they go home with great stories of the learning and vast anticipation of their return tomorrow.

76. Accomplished

Definition: completed, done, effected, an accomplished fact, highly skilled,expert, highly trained

Key Thoughts for Application: expert, skilled, skillful, masterly, successful, virtuoso, master, consummate, complete, proficient, talented, gifted, adept, adroit, deft, dexterous, able, good, competent, capable, efficient, experienced, seasoned, trained, practiced, professional, polished, ready, apt, great, mean, nifty, crack, ace, wizard, crackerjack

This quality of a teacher was a feeling that the student felt they were learning from a trained, experience expert for the skill and concept to be learned for the day. This should be the case for all subjects, but the onus is on the teacher to be knowledgeable, ready, and prepared in the subject matter, with learning strategies and ways to impart their knowledge to each student with interest and deft skill that makes the learning flow.

77. Devoting

Definition: to give up or appropriate to or concentrate on a particular pursuit, occupation, purpose, cause, etc.

Key Thoughts for Application: allot, apply, assign, dedicate, donate, give, present, appropriate, bestow, confide, entrust, pledge, vow,

How many times do students feel their teacher is just “phoning it in.” They have done is so much, have it patterned, and never mix it up. A Memorable educator is devoted to giving of their time and effort in a dedicated effort to uncover all that is needed. They put in the time for the students who need the extra help. They also know that the students who are understanding the information also need to have something ready to challenge and entice them to learn more than the basics and extend their value of the learning for each day.

78. Prepared

Definition: properly expectant, organized, or equipped; ready, provide, arrange, order, prepare, contrive, devise imply planning for and making ready for something expected or thought possible. To prepare is to make ready beforehand

Key Thoughts for Application: arrange assemble, brace, develops, draw up, equip, form, formulate, gird, make, plan, produce, provide, qualify, ready, strengthen, supply, train, adapt, adjust, anticipate

I compare the teacher of the classroom to a pilot or a surgeon. Each of them takes the time to know what is needed every time they step into their arena of work. The pilot plans the flight, has a thorough inspection of the  plane, reviews checklists, arrives in plenty of time, sometimes greets the crew and passengers, and does everything in their power to have a safe and successful flight. No one is allowed to skip a step or to complete their identified preparation activity because the responsibility is theirs and theirs alone. Surgeons similarly do the same and will, at times even though they are proficient, rehearse the operation to make sure that all is in order and the sequence of the process is in place. Even down to the scrubbing of their hands, arms, and making sure no germ interferes with the cleanliness and sanctity of the operating room environment. Educators need to be just as prepared for their arena of work. The students’ lives depend on it as well.

79. Available/Approachable

Definition: adjective: accessible. (of a person) easy to meet, know, talk with, etc. suitable or ready for use; of use or service; at hand:

Key Thoughts for Application: Convenient, attainable, door always open, feasible, free, handy, possible, usable, vacant, prepared, reachable,

In the olden days, the teacher was the one and only expert in the theater of education. Learning can no longer be the “Sage on the stage” We now have to be the guide on the side, as well as make sure students do not leave with only knowledge and skill. The world needs people who can do the work (application), know when to adapt (synthesis), make adjustments (analysis), and be flexible. So the old school strategy of sit and get is now longer viable. What we need in the 21^st century is students who have the ability to work in teams, call on experts when needed, be resourceful, and be ready for the fast changing world we live in these days. Teacher need to model that in the classroom with their ability to guide, be available, and be ready for students to approach them when they need clarification or redirection for success to follow.

80. Self-Confident

Definition: realistic confidence in one's own judgment, ability, power, etc.

Key Thoughts for Application: self-assurance, initiative taker, aplomb, inner strength, positive self-image, conviction, firmness, nerve, courage, trust, poise, security, faith

Self-confidence for educators in not being an arrogant, all-knowing, king or queen of the classroom. Self-confident educators are adults, who work with students using a comfortable feeling. They can help when needed, be the authority when pressed, be compassionate if requiring being friendly, and show the poise and firmness that develops trust in their students with a faith that the day/year will be great and successful. Confident is not cocky. It is not aggressive, but a peaceful sense that everything will be done and be okay at the end of each lesson, day, and year.

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