Teaching the Student

The book states "Teachers shape lives, not by providing a sturdier network of social services, not by helping the child explore the psyche, not by standing on the sidelines and providing strategies designed to capture the game point, buy by equipping students with the intellectual wherewithal necessary to make their way in a world that increasingly demands academic preparation for full societal participation." I really liked this, we're not just teaching students curriculum or certain subjects, it's more than that. What good would any of it do if they didn't know how to take their knowledge, understanding, and skills into society. We need to teach students to be life long learners. But, how do we do this? One of my favorite quote from the books states, "we rarely succeed in teaching subjects unless we teach human beings as well." I think it is so important to teach to the individual rather than teach a subject. We must get to know our students as much as possible. We need to know their strengths and weaknesses so we know better how to help them succeed. Students need to feel affirmation, contribution, power, purpose, and challenge. It is our job as teachers to ensure that in them. My second grade teacher did a good job at this. I was a very shy student and would rather sit in the back and go unnoticed, but I still felt like I was his favorite student and I could accomplish anything. I think he was able to make all of us feel that way and instill great confidence in each of us. He never made us feel dumb or like we couldn't accomplish something. I think this is one of the most important things you can give a student.