Be a Role Model
Set an example and validate responses
Fried states “Teachers are role models…” (Fried, 128) and I strongly agree. I believe that it is important for teachers to set an example for each and every student. If a teacher has an expectation in a classroom the teacher must model the behavior initially and also follow through with that behavior in the future. This is true of any expectation, no matter how small. For example, if a teacher expects students to respect the principal while he/she is speaking over the intercom, the teacher must do the same. If a teacher begins ignoring rules and expectations that he/she sets for his/her class then he/she ends up setting the example that rules and expectations need not be followed by everyone. While reading I felt strongly about this issue because I have too often seen teachers ignore announcements, interrupt colleagues or students, put down students, etc.
Setting an example and modeling expected behavior and performance go hand in hand. When a teacher creates an authentic piece of work, writing or otherwise, and critiques and corrects it with his/her class it makes the task more meaningful to the students. A teacher can show he/she makes mistakes and that with help and respect from others everyone can improve upon his/her own work no matter the age or experience of the person.
Teachers should also validate students’ responses. One way I do this is by labeling a student’s response with his/her name and/or by writing the response in the color of his/her choice. Physically seeing a response within the classroom for all to see and share is validation for the student that his/her response is important.
Fried states “Teachers are role models…” (Fried, 128) and I strongly agree. I believe that it is important for teachers to set an example for each and every student. If a teacher has an expectation in a classroom the teacher must model the behavior initially and also follow through with that behavior in the future. This is true of any expectation, no matter how small. For example, if a teacher expects students to respect the principal while he/she is speaking over the intercom, the teacher must do the same. If a teacher begins ignoring rules and expectations that he/she sets for his/her class then he/she ends up setting the example that rules and expectations need not be followed by everyone. While reading I felt strongly about this issue because I have too often seen teachers ignore announcements, interrupt colleagues or students, put down students, etc.
Setting an example and modeling expected behavior and performance go hand in hand. When a teacher creates an authentic piece of work, writing or otherwise, and critiques and corrects it with his/her class it makes the task more meaningful to the students. A teacher can show he/she makes mistakes and that with help and respect from others everyone can improve upon his/her own work no matter the age or experience of the person.
Teachers should also validate students’ responses. One way I do this is by labeling a student’s response with his/her name and/or by writing the response in the color of his/her choice. Physically seeing a response within the classroom for all to see and share is validation for the student that his/her response is important.
