Effective Teachers
Found in Scholarship and Professional Development > Scholarship and Professional Development Resources
Effective teachers are:
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organized (they have a plan for the semester as a whole, the various units within the term, and the daily class)
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unified (classes are strung together like a necklace of fine pearls, each one beautiful, but exquisite when seen as a whole)
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cohesive (each day's class begins with goals, works toward these goals, then sums up what has been accomplished)
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experimental (they are willing to take risks, to try new things)
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energetic (they constantly work during class as well as before, encouraging the class to share their energy)
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enthusiastic (they are positive about the class)
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diverse (they vary class presentations to make the most of student learning styles)
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interactive (they employ strategies and exercises that draw students out of themselves, that prod them to learn more than they think they're capable of)
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concerned (they make an effort to get to know their students immediately, and throughout the term they nurture that relationship)
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knowledgeable (they know the material, and they constantly upgrade their knowledge through research)
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aware (they know their students, the campus environment, and current events in their students' world)
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open-minded (they are willing to accept change, newness, others' opinions)
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civil (they show respect for students and student ideas)
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in control (they steer students toward the established goals rather than driving them)
SOURCE: Blythe, Hal & Sweet, Charlie, It Works for Me! Shared Tips for Teaching. New Forums Press, Inc., Stillwater, OK, 1998.