A Good Teacher...

A good teacher is someone who exhibits fairness, honesty, compassion and empathy.  She is flexible and adaptable and willing to stray from "the plan" when lessons aren't engaging students.  She is truly interested in learning about her students, their interests and their goals, then structures her lessons and classroom activities around those interests.  She is able to address state and district standards while still maintaining an environment that fosters critical thinking, openness, autonomy and respectful debate.  A good teacher also recognizes when a student is struggling and intervenes as soon as possible to ensure that student maintains a sense of purpose and accomplishment in class.  She creates connections between students and their peers, and connections between content and prior knowledge.




Revised Week Four T2P 

(1) If there is an expectation that students are intrinsically motivated to learn,(2) then instructional practices can lend themselves to students' freedom to research and seek information independently (3) because the teacher is creating an environment in which it is encouraged.  (4) Through independent, self-directed research, students gain competency as well as autonomy because their actions are valued by the teacher.  In the case of Vicki Davis, she not only encourages her students to look up information that they do not know (or that will enhance their educational experience), she had made it clear by her actions that she expects them to take the initiative to do so.  In relation to self-determination theory, the elements of high-level motivation that she is fostering, will lead to enhanced performance, curiosity, critical thinking and problem solving skills.  Students who are curious, critical thinkers will be more likely to be socially responsible as they progress into adulthood. By preparing students to question, interact and actively seek information, they will be better able to make informed decisions as adults.

1) If statement

2) Then statement

3) Because statement

4) Evidence/Relation to theory

5) Moral implication

6) Additions in Week 5