Teaching Techniques There Is a Quote I

Teaching Techniques

There is a quote I remember that I don't know exactly where I heard that goes "The mediocre teacher tells, the good teacher explains, the superior teacher demonstrates, the great teacher inspires." I have been fortunate to have had a number of superior teachers throughout my academic career. Each encouraged me to succeed. However, there are two that hold a special place in my memory, one from elementary school and one from high school.

I was in a self-contained sixth grade classroom and my teacher was Mr. Burke. The one most important thing he did for me was to construct an atmosphere in the classroom where learning was fun. His style of teaching facilitated learning in a positive and supportive environment. He was an excellent communicator with a ready laugh and a good sense of humor. His teaching style put everyone at ease. He had high expectations and because he believed in me, I began to believe in myself.

The band director in my high school is Mr. Moreno. I was under his influence for four years. Though his class was called advanced band in the curriculum, his real class was advanced life. He taught us more than music. Through him I learned the value and rewards of teamwork. Though each of us plays an individual instrument, the music we make is as a team. We are accountable to one another, and the better each of us learns our part of the piece the better the orchestra. Individually we can make beautiful music but together we make a more beautiful sound.

Now that I have thought about it, though both of these men had different personalities, Mr. Burke was young and energetic while Mr. Moreno was older and more of a philosopher both had quite a few traits in common. Each displayed a genuine passion for teaching and learning and concern for the well-being of all of their students. Both would spend time talking with their students, asking questions and extolling us to think things through and solve our own problems.

Both of these teachers differentiated instruction and had high expectations of each and every student. Because of this every student had an opportunity to learn. Their teaching styles generated a desire in their students to do the best they could, not only for themselves but because they did not want to disappoint their teacher as well.