The Passionate Organizer

There is no secret that there are many methods to teaching and ways to handle your classroom and that students will learn from many different types of educators. However, there are some types of teaching and classroom management that may be more powerful and effective than others.

No one wants to have a teacher that is disorganized, dull, and seems more un-interested in the topics they are teaching than the students that are learning them. Students want someone in front of the classroom that is organized, has clear objectives and expectations, and is passionate about the topic and the students. It's good for teachers to blend teaching methods, such as, power points, marker/chalk board, group work, questioning, etc. This is great for both the teacher and the students' sake.

According to Maryellen Weimer's article there are six keys to classroom excellence:

1. Interest and explanation - Be interested in your topic, know what the students understand, and create connections.
2. Concern and respect for students and student learning - "Good teaching has nothing to do with making things hard. It has nothing to do with frightening students. It is everything to do with benevolence and humility."
3. Appropriate assessment and feedback - Avoid assessments type that force students to memorize material and then regurgitate it for an exam.
4. Clear goals and intellectual challenge - Create high expectations for your students and make them clear to your students.
5. Independence, control and active engagement - Don't "treat all learners as if they were exactly the same" by creating projects and tasks that allow creativity and student control.
6. Learning from students -  Be willing to change and take what your students say and use it to reevaluate your teaching methods and classroom management.

It's always important to make sure you are working to reach every student and as many different learning styles as you can - while still using your own skill set. One saying that I keep running across in my classes, reading, and research is "your students don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." I think that it is important to make sure you are constantly making connections and bonds with students to continue to build a relationship. In the Agriculture Education spectrum, I think that we also need to remember with those connections we do not just have students for 1 or 2 years typically - we hope to have them for 4 years in a high school setting. If we do not build that relationship, then we lose the students.

I am someone who has always loved school and learning, loves to be organized, and if anything, I care too much about others. I will need to work on my enthusiasm. Though, I may be really interested and excited about a topic, I do not do a very good job of outwardly expressing it (so tips are welcome!).

Photo Credit: Harry Wong, 

                                                                                                            "Unit A - The Effective Teacher"

References

Weimer, Maryellen. “Effective Teaching Strategies: Six Keys to Classroom Excellence.” Faculty Focus | Higher Ed Teaching & Learning, 20 July 2009, www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/effective-teaching-strategies-six-keys-to-classroom-excellence/.