Teacher Feature...
The Teacher is the Difference
by Bill Page
There are many factors that can make a difference in student achievement, but:
THE TEACHER IS THE DIFFERENCE
Textbooks don't teach kids,
Administrators don't teach kids
Rules don't teach kids
Tests don't teach kids
Block schedules don't teach kids
State departments of education don't teach kids
Support staffs don't teach kids
Politicians don't teach kids.
TEACHERS DON'T GET TO CHOOSE:
Their working conditions, rooms, or materials;
Their students or their schedules;
Their administrators or their colleagues;
Their class loads, schedules or student-teacher ratio.
TEACHERS DON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE;
THEY ARE THE DIFFERENCE IN KIDS LEARNING
Kids don't know anything about school reform, high stakes testing, inclusion, site-based management or assessment-driven curriculum -- they just come to school. They have good days and bad days, Some days they learn a lot; some days seem to be a waste of time. Whether they learn a little or a lot depends on what their teacher decides to do.
TEACHERS TEACH KIDS. THEY DO IT BY:
Their minute to minute decisions, their communication skills and their knowledge.
They can provide motivation, they can make a kid feel competent and confident.
They can provide interest and offer opportunity; they can facilitate a kid's learning.
THE TEACHER IS THE DIFFERENCE IN KIDS' LEARNING
| 
