Think of a teacher you had who influenced you. What made this person a good teacher?

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I had many teachers that influenced my life in several ways. Although there is just one teacher that sticks out most for me, Mrs. Daniels, my fifth grade teacher. She respected all of her students and always made an effort to help anyone with anything. I think what made Mrs. Daniels such a great teacher is that she not only helped me with my school work but also through life. She always made sure I was okay. She would ask simple questions such as, “how are you today” or “Do you need my help with anything” and that meant the world to me to actually have someone genuinely care.  She let me see that not all teachers are out to get you. I will always appreciate her, and hope that one day I will be as good of a teacher as her. (She also got the Teacher of the Year award, this year) Woot woot!

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Students often identify teachers who were not very personable or approachable as among their most effective teachers. Is it possible to be personable, caring and effective? When would it be a liability to be personable or approachable? When would it be an advantage?

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 Yes I do believe it’s possible for a teacher to be personable, caring, and effective in the classroom. By having a personable and caring mindset in the classroom, you make it where students can feel comfortable coming to you for any type of question. A teacher that does not appear personable and caring could deeply affect a student’s learning ability because the student fears them. As an educator you must learn the boundaries between teacher and student, and always do things in a professional manner. If certain boundaries are crossed there could be a liability among parent and teacher. When a teacher is both personable and approachable, it definitely would be an advantage. Once a teacher has both types of characteristics, the student will feel more comfortable in asking questions.

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What does Anita describe as the goal of educational psychology?

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 Anita describes the goal of educational psychology by stating we should go beyond the personal level of experience. Also study teaching and learning systematically is another goal of educational psychology. These methods that Anita has mentioned, I believe would be very beneficial in the impacts of the students both inside and outside the classroom. The research mentioned during Anita’s podcast states the importance of having effective teachers in the classroom. When effective teaches are present, the students’ will feel more prepared.

 

Anita mentions some compelling research. What was the research and how did it affect the students?

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Anita’s podcast reveals very compelling research. A group of researchers located in Tennessee partook in an experiment to see how much of a role effective teachers leave on students. The results from 3rd to 5th grade showed that the students’ mathematical scores scored in the 96th percentile when having an effective teacher. While other students’ scored in the 44th percentile while have no effective teachers. Anita’s research shows us that in order for students to perform well in the classroom, an effective teacher will have to be present.

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Anita describes 8-10 methods teachers could employ to help create student success. These methods help to foster what she describes as the single most significant predictor of student success. In your opinion, describe 2 or 3 of the most important methods she mentions in her Podcast.

Anita described multiple methods a teacher could employ to help create student success. Two that caught my attention was a sense of belonging, and teacher involvement and caring. For a student to excel in the classroom, they must feel a sense of belonging. Research shows that students’ feel a sense of belonging when they believe their teachers cares about their education and lives. Secondly, teacher involvement and caring is the best indicator of student engagement. She mentions that if a student fells as if the teacher cares about them, they will feel more motivated to perform academically

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Summary

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Lesson 2 dealt directly with the impact teachers have on students in the classroom. I really enjoyed reading this particular lesson because it has shown me different strategies to further engage students in the classroom. Anita’s research deals directly with the impact of an effective teacher in the classroom. Her results show that by having an effective teacher, students will perform better in class. Overall, this lesson has shown me a variety of ways to become an effective teacher, and learner.