Reflection 2

            The Book, The First Days of School, has been pretty forthright in highlighting certain aspects of being a successful teacher. In part B and C most of what I gathered was about how important it is to dress and act for success. 

            In chapter 8 it mentions how dress affects the work, attitude, and discipline of the students.  Dressing in a professional manner helps you as a teacher in four areas.

1.     Respect

2.     Credibility

3.     Acceptance

4.     Authority

I can agree with this because I’ve noticed that when a teacher who dresses professionally has taught me, it’s easier to learn and trust what they are teaching.  I have seen this principle work in my life when I served a mission.  No one would trust some random 19-year-old dressed in street clothes to teach them about the gospel. That’s why missionaries dress the way they do and are can posses the 4 characteristics mentioned earlier.

            In chapter 8, it also briefly mentioned that teachers need to prepare students for the world and to think globally. I feel this can be done by constantly teaching students how technology affects them and the world around them. In TEE, technology is what we teach, and showing kids how that technology is used in other countries will expand their scope to from school, to the world.

            In the end of section B and most of section C, the book explains the importance of being and inviting individual and providing an inviting atmosphere.  Just as a person who looks sad and depressed is uninviting to approach, so is a teacher if they act similarly.  Always be happy, excited, polite, address kids by name, and much more.  Having this kind of attitude will help you manage your class because kids will respect you, and want to learn from you.

            Relating to attitude, in class earlier this week Geoff talked about morals and how we as teachers need to decide if we are just there to teach them a subject, or to help them become better morally as well as teach your curriculum.  I tend to agree with Geoff’s point of view here because if you can help someone become a better person and visa versa, there is a connection and bond that exists that will edify and uplift both student and teacher, just like it says in D&C  50:21-22.

            In class we also learned about 3 different methods of teaching: cognitivivism , behaviorism, and constructivism. These three learning and teaching styles will help reach all types of learners. And it will take some practice and some more observing from me to know best how to use these styles.