I have been quite fortunate to have many good teachers throughout my
educational career. While it is hard to select just one positive experience, I think
the best behavior was demonstrated by my kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Smith was
my first ever teacher and her influence had a lasting impact on my education
goals. For the longest time, I wanted to be a teacher because of Mrs. Smith. She
was patient, kind, and took time to show students better ways to do something. I
remember she spoke so softly; she could calm an entire room. My experience
with Mrs. Smith at the age of 5 helped me dream of what I wanted to be.
However, it was my experience with Mrs. Smith years later that helped me
recognize how good of a teacher she really was.
I was in 7th grade, sitting in Home Economics when Mrs. Smith walked into the
classroom with another student who was in the class. Mrs. Smith took a new
position to be an aid for students with disabilities. Day after day, Mrs. Smith and I
interacted but in a different way now. She was not my teacher, but she was there
to help as needed. That year my great grandmother passed away. I remember
missing a couple of days of school. During one of my days off, Mrs. Smith arrived
at my house with trays of food. I cannot explain how good it felt to see a friendly
face, showing up for me! She was not only a teacher but a compassionate person.
One of the seven principles of effective teaching in our textbook is to encourage
student-faculty contact. This principle specifically talked about the benefit of
contact between students and faculty inside and outside of school. (Bernstein,
2020) Mrs. Smith went out of her way to show that she cared. She checked in
with me regarding my assignments and my emotional well-being. That experience
with Mrs. Smith is one that I will always treasure.
Unfortunately, I have also experienced negative interactions with teachers. One
teacher I had a poor interaction with was my stats professor in college. This
professor was easily one of the smartest men I have ever met. But he lacked,
what I believe to be an important quality for teachers to have, communication.
This professor spent the duration of each class rambling off statistical notations.
He moved through material so fast, it was nearly impossible to keep up. I
remember raising my hand for help and his response was, “no questions please”.
Each test that we took or homework assignment that was turned in was graded
and returned without any feedback. The students were not explained why we
missed a question or guided to make corrections.
Another one of the seven principles of effective teaching is to encourage active
learning. (Bernstein 2020) The professor that I did not have great experience with,
focused on making sure each class he was putting out as much information as
possible. He was not concerned with whether the students were retaining the
information. Having the opportunity to talk about homework assignments and
question why the right answer was right, would have helped me learn the material
better. To add to this unfortunate experience, this professor taught all four
statistical classes I was required to take during my undergraduate and graduate
career. I still struggle with statistics to this day. I feel that is because of the poor
experience I had in college. If you were a student of a professor like this, how
would you handle the lack of effective teaching?
Scholarly article, Teachers matter: Measures of teacher effectiveness in low-income
minority schools, by author Elaine M. Silva Mangiante, discusses what qualities
make an effective teacher. The article also proposes a way to measure teacher
effectiveness. Mangiante proposes that using value- added models (VAM) for
student growth measures puts more focus on the student and less on test scores
and performance. (Mangiante, 2010) I believe my professor would have grown as
an educator if he used the VAM approach.
Colossians 3:23-24 reads, “whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not
for men, knowing the from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your
reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Hendrickson Publishers, 2004) I believe
that God has called each person for something wonderful. There are many times I
find myself doubting what I am doing. I must remind myself that I am where I am
for a reason. Because God has called me, it is important that I put my best
forward. Not for me, not for man, but for the Lord.
References:
Bernstein, D. A. (2020). Teaching psychology: A step-by-step guide (3rd ed.).
Psychology Press.
Hendrickson Publishers. (2004). The holy Bible: King James Version.
Mangiante, E. M. (2010). Teachers matter: Measures of teacher effectiveness in
low-income minority schools. Educational Assessment, Evaluation and
Accountability, 23(1), 41-63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11092-010-9107-x
