Rethink Learning Now

My sixth grade linguistics teacher, Mrs. Panek, gave me a love of the English language and of teaching. I loved everything about her: she was pretty, she was nice, she had beautiful handwriting, and she was in love with the English language and teaching as well. I began to idolize her and wanted to be just like her. In order to pass our sixth grade English class, we had to memorize the eight parts of speech and be able to identify them in a sentence. In order to do that, she taught us...

My inspiration to become a teacher is all due to Mrs. Grady Turner, my third grade teacher. She was a "Great Expectations teacher, before "Great Expectations" existed. She was compassionate, yet stern. Strict, but loving. Kind and enthusiastic about even the tiniest accomplishment. She had polio as a child and her hands were somewhat crippled. She learned to write using a very large piece of chalk. What she could do with that chalk was amazing! What I am very sad to say will someday be a...

This is a task that is most enjoyable. My most effective teacher was Dr. Laura Ashcroft. She is one of those kinds of people who make you want to learn, want to please her with your work and want to be successful as a teacher. She is first and foremost an encourager. She encourages her students to succeed and enables them to succeed by giving them powerful tools to work with kids, teaches her students about real life experiences and gives insights that helps...

It was my mother and dad who instilled in me my love for learning and a desire to become a teacher. I loved learning and going to school. My parents were farmers and we, the eight children along with our parents were responsible for harvesting the crops in the fall each year. I would pray for it to rain so that I could go to school. My mom and dad always offered encouragement telling me that I could be what I wanted to be. Even when I was absent from school because of working on the farm,...

It relieved the usual routine of high school. It was engaging. It made me feel special. This memorable learning event took place over 45 years ago, but it still stands out in my mind. It was a learning community that came together for the purpose of discussing a stimulating topic. One or two students from each high school in the region surrounding the University of Rochester (upstate New York) were invited to attend a series of monthly discussions on interesting topics, led by...

What a Difference a Word Makes In 9th grade my English teacher, would say to us "PEOPLE we are going to begin an essay today." At first I thought it was a mistake. People? Really? But again and again she referred to us with a word that meant to me respect, acceptance, and relevance. We were important to her, we were important in the classroom, we were important period. It completely changed how I viewed myself, what I might be capable of, and gave me confidence to find my voice in...

The Door Knocker Randy Ross, Ph.D. I believe that learning is optimized when every student has an effective educational advocate(s). In my experience, great educational advocacy is exemplified by stalwart ¿door knockers¿ such as Mr. Bishop. As a college-prep math major in high school (many moons ago), it was not until my junior year that I could take an elective. I opted for a course in music theory. It was the first course in music theory I would take in school. Not knowing how...

I could never narrow down the path of learning which has lead me to this point in life. I can't pin it all on one defining epiphany that woke me up and made me pay attention. I can tell about all the small things which have added to my experience. These things may be the "...so you can get into a good college." statements that I heard throughout my life, the look that my Dad always gives me that says he knew I could do it, or the many privileges I have had in my education. Without...

Through this short first semester at the University of Tampa we have learned many different things when it comes to teaching and teaching effectively. We have learned multiple theories all of which benefit different types of children in different ways. I have learned, not only from class but also from observing, how to put different learning theories to work. When I observed this semester, I went to my old high school and observed my favorite teacher. I alway used to sit in her room during...

Through my observations in a 1st grade classroom and my tutoring experience at a local elementary school, I've found that social-emotional learning should be implemented in the curriculum. Students without supportive families are at risk of being less motivated and less likely to succeed. I observed students who were very disruptive and hurtful towards one another. The teacher was very good at providing positive reinforcement and feedback, but the students clearly required more instruction...

After teaching math and special education for 10 years in a variety of high schools and middle schools, I began teaching at Souhegan High School in Amherst, NH. When Souhegan opened in 1992, it's guiding documents centered around the principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools. The practices of asking students to be a partner in their education and to demonstrate their learning through exhibitions has allowed students to actively engage in their education and grow as individuals. ...

An homage to the teachers I remember most:

To Mr. McCarthy, who told me once that I was "a great observer of the obvious." We debated together and as a class on whether this was a compliment or not. To this day I remember that debate, and I firmly believe it is a compliment. The obvious is paradoxically elusive -- a great deal of the time.

To Mrs. Conway, who taught Macbeth with such vigor that I reread it now, in my 30s, every couple of years. "Lay...