Week 2: Response to "Is the Great American Teacher Dead?"

Three main concepts from John Ivers’ article “Is the Great American Teacher Dead?” resonated with me and I plan to incorporate them into my teaching.

Enthusiastic Teaching

First, the article mentions that although successful teaching is difficult to measure, “learning…is enhanced by teaching that is passionate, positive, inspiring, inviting, meaningful and transformative...” It’s true that the more enthusiastically I teach, the more my students engage and thrive. When I was growing up, the teachers I learned the most from were passionate about the subjects they taught. That passion instilled a love of learning in me, and to this day, I’m still interested in those subjects they taught. Therefore, as a teacher myself, it’s important that I spend just as much time deciding HOW to teach than what to teach or what type of strategies to use. It’s impossible for a student to be motivated when a teacher is detached, bored, or emotionally unavailable.

Positive and Safe Atmosphere

I also want to create an atmosphere of trust and caring. “People do not learn or perform well if they do not feel emotionally safe” (Medina, 2008; Purkey & Novak, 1984). It’s interesting to note that our brains remember the emotional aspects of an experience more than the actual experience (Medina, 2008). A few days ago, I met with one of my student’s classroom teachers to talk about ways to help the student academically. The teacher replied, “Oh she just needs a little praise and confidence.” As I started encouraging and praising the student more, I noticed that she did become more engaged and responsive. All students have academic capabilities, but as teachers, we must provide an environment in which those capabilities can be nurtured. I’m reminded of the adage: “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Meaningful Engagement

John Medina claims that “students remember meaning before details” (Medina, 2008).

It’s crucial that we encourage students to make connections to the world and self and to think critically and independently rather than just spoon-feeding them information. As I teach “survival skills” to my ESL students who just came to the U.S., I’m hoping that the basic vocabulary and grammar I’m teaching will eventually come together and provide meaning to them. Teaching content is one thing; teaching content to create authentic connections is another.

Everybody Wins

These three concepts presented by Brother Ivers can help not only the student but also the teacher. A scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 50:22 reads: “He that preacheth [by the Spirit] and he that receiveth [by the Spirit], understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together”. If we teach with enthusiasm, create a positive and safe atmosphere, and provide meaningful engagement, both the student and the teacher will learn and be edified together.

Good luck taking care of your troops!