NationStates Jolt Archive

As many of you with kids know, the new school year is just around the corner (I can hear the cheers already). I'm a public school teacher, currently a substitute, but I've applied and interviewed for a full-time job. Whether I get the job or continue to sub next year, I've begun to prepare for just my second year in California's public education system, and I'd like your help.

What I'm looking for is input, advice, experience and suggestions--not from other teachers (though that's appreciated, too!)--but from regular people who have been through or are in public school, which should be most of you.

Below is a short questionnaire about your experiences in elementary/primary school (ages 5-12). If you've ever had a teacher that was particularly excellent or particularly horrendous, I want to hear about it, and what made that teacher effective/horrible. I've found that listening to others' experiences is extremely helpful to me when planning my own lessons, developing classroom management plans, etc.

----Questionnaire----

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?


2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?


Thank you in advance for anyone who chooses to participate. :D

5-12? The "nap time" and actual "recess" years. Uh, have legos or puzzles or some shit for when children have finished their busy work?
And what do 5 year olds do anyway? That is like Kindergarten isn't it? All I remember is nap time, show & tell, and coloring. I think I had to tie my shoe for a grade too, but you get my point.

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?
Teachers that were the best thought of exciting ways to explain things (I totally learned division using M&M's) and treated us all with respect. I remember my favorite teacher explained on the first day of 4th grade that we were all becoming young ladies and young gentlemen so since we gave her the respect of calling her Mrs. Anderson she would call us by our last name too. I loved going to her class. I got up everyday feeling like someone for once was treating me the way I wanted to be treated.


2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?
I didn't care for my 3rd grade teacher because she would often lose her cool. I had always wondered if we would have been so adventurous and rebellious if she wasn't so fun to piss off. OH and that flipping the lights off and on thing to make people shut up? We don't care. Flip all you want, we'll get louder.

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?
Science fair! I got to do a project by myself that I could really take the time to make perfect and I got to show it to other people and explain it.

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?
Cooperative learning groups. Bleh. It was just like working alone only I had to do the work of 3 other people as well.

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.
I was in the range of the gifted program but also had/have dysgraphia which made it difficult/impossible to do my work at a "gifted level" so I often got shoved back into "regular classes" which were boring. I made horrible grades throughout elementary school because I just didn't turn work in. If my teachers had let me type my homework and turn that in everything would have been fine, but the handwriting...ick. I still hate it. My oldest has it too, so I'm trying to find a balance between letting her email me her homework and also exercising her so she will be able to write legibly when she is a grown up. (I've gotten much better with my spelling btw it helps to have a proper pen)

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?
My teachers could have spent more time finding out what my problem was instead of punishing me for it, or telling me I was lazy. I wish that they would have listened more to my grandmother about solutions she had found for my issues and accommodated me more on some of my issues with turning in things that were imperfect. (Dysgraphia + perfectionism= homework done, copied many times, thrown away, never turned in)

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?
Teachers need to be more aware of various learning differences (disabilities blah blah) and accommodate them when possible. They also need to understand that a child can be asynchronous and still be normal. If a child seems to be having trouble don't automatically jump to them being "lazy" or "bad", try to figure out what's going on.

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?
Cooperative learning groups. Bleh. It was just like working alone only I had to do the work of 3 other people as well.


So very, very true. It's like forced plagiarism, which really makes a person lose respect for anti-cheating rules later on.

In a similar vein, I was elected by elementary teachers sometimes to help with some students who were having trouble grasping a concept. Just because I understand something does not mean I, as a 5th grader, am qualified to teach it! It's really depressing making someone cry because you can't help but make them feel stupid. :(

*snip*

Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. This is exactly the kind of stuff I'm looking for. :D

So very, very true. It's like forced plagiarism, which really makes a person lose respect for anti-cheating rules later on.

In a similar vein, I was elected by elementary teachers sometimes to help with some students who were having trouble grasping a concept. Just because I understand something does not mean I, as a 5th grader, am qualified to teach it! It's really depressing making someone cry because you can't help but make them feel stupid. :(

I've seen this happen a lot, especially in a class I student-taught that had the GATE students in it. I will definitely make a note of it.

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?
How they didn't treat me like just another kid, and how they didn't just drone on and on.

2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?
The strictness, the inflexibility, the uncaring monotone.
3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?
Recess.:wink:
4. What did you hate or dread most about school?
Homework. Isn't seven hours enough?
5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.
I always had trouble paying attention, because most of the teachers went over something seven or eight times when I got it the first or second time. Of course, I didn't notice when they started teaching something else, which really didn't help...
6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?
They could've given me a worksheet and told me to figure it out on my own. I would've enjoyed that.
7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?
Politics.

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?
My best elementary school teacher was my fourth grade teacher. She has earned my undying love for being the first and only elementary school teacher (and, to be honest, middle school) who took me seriously when I said my life goal was to be a soldier.
In other words, encourage what your students say-don't give a fake smile and try to convince them they are making a bad choice.

2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?
My 6th grade teacher gave me a low C on a 24 page essay I did on communism. In 6th grade. I read the fucking communist manifesto and little red book when I was 12, and I got a C because it was too much on the people who founded communism, not the economic principles. I WAS TWELVE. I guess the point I'm making is, it's elementary school. For stuff like that, judge on effort.
(Not saying you would do that, Ms. Howard was a bitch. grumble.)

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?
My friends, but i was also a history nut. I'm just wierd like that. However, I really liked the group projects.

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?
Math. Hands down.

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.
I was in APEX, which is an acronym I don't know for gifted students. I was smart! :D
gotta wonder what happened...

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?
My APEX teacher from 2-5th grade was terrible. She made it far, far too structured, and refused to branch from the lesson plan. Like, ever. 6th grade was great, we had a different teacher, and he was the total opposite. He would start with a topic, but if things got sidetracked on a different topic, we would talk about that for the whole period.

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?
Ha. You're teaching little kids. You can see anything that would happen that could negatively effect the class.

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?

A genuine passion for teaching, willingness to help individuals struggling with a topic rather than just focus on the majority who are doing ok, a sense of humour, not overly strict.

2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?

Inflexible, dull teaching style, overly-strict, tendency to shout (this unsettled me, and as a generally unstable kid made me even less able to concentrate and learn)

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?

When we wrote poems in our English classes, when our teacher read us stories (particularly Greek myths).

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?

Any sport that wasn't football, because I couldn't dothem. I hated group projects, because I'd end up doing what everyone else wanted to do, even though my ideas were often better. I also didn't like one of my teachers continually turning everything into a "boys vs girls" competition.

I didn't mind homework. Hey, I'm a freak, sue me:p

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.

Dyspraxia. My poor coordination and inability to visualise things meant I was totally hopeless at art, to the extent of it being pointless to do it. I also did (and still do) have difficulty processing too much information thrown at me at once, and sometimes had panic attacks or became very unstable if people were unpleasant towards me.

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?

My school refused to believe I was dyspraxic, even when my parents pointed out I had the vast majority of characteristics associated with this. So they just told me that "You're not trying hard enough" in art, which made me frustrated, feel like a failure and led to multiple destructive tantrums. They also continually punished me for reacting to people being mean to me while totally ignoring the kid who'd been clearly provoking if they'd been bothering to look.

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?

They need to look more closely at individual kids, what inspires them, and what makes them upset and angry, so they know how to best bring that kid back into line before there is any trouble and inspire them if they don't feel confident. One approach does not fit all

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?
Patience, honesty, and consistency.
2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?
Inconsistency and, in one case, laziness; I had one elementary school teacher who basically wasn't willing to teach me anything, so I read in the back of the classroom for most of the year. I also went as far as to write her a letter criticizing her for "picking on" other students.

I had one assistant teacher once, in second grade (age 7), who made the mistake of getting sucked into a low-grade "war" with me. That probably reached its height when I got all the boys in the classroom muttering about "sexual discrimination" by him, which meant we got to go negotiate with the school counselor quite quickly.
3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?
Catching the mistakes of teachers I didn't like was provided me with many moments of temporary enjoyment. I also enjoyed notoriety; at the time, I even enjoyed the fights.
4. What did you hate or dread most about school?
I should say that locking me up in the padded cell in the elementary school basement was the worst, but it was honestly quite peaceful in there.

At the time? Boredom and adults who seemed to me to be concerned only with discipline and power.
5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.
I got in a lot of fights. I was also extremely gifted/talented; my school had me on file as AG and BEH. My elementary school, collectively, had a very difficult time figuring out what to do with me, which is why my parents started homeschooling me in 5th grade.
6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?
Sending me to the reference section of the library when I misbehaved backfired. Sure, it got me out of the teacher's hair for the moment, and I was well behaved in the library, but seeing as I liked it more there than in the classroom, that only encouraged misbehavior. "Time-out" didn't work at all.

Nor, for that matter, did the padded cell, which I believe they later discovered they weren't authorized to use in my particular situation. About the only thing that mitigated my misbehavior were patient appeals to reason and logic. I wound up spending a lot of time in and just outside the vice principal's office, as the principal couldn't cope with me.
7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?
That no matter how much experience or education you have in the field of primary education, there will still be children who are something that you haven't anticipated, children that need you to learn something new. They may bring you joy or terror. Some will bring both.

The most difficult students will in many cases be the ones with exceptional abilities - mental, social, or physical.

And above all? Exemplify the Golden Rule in dealing with children. It helps them learn it.

----Questionnaire----

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?
I can't really think of an elementary school teacher that didn't kind of piss me off a little. But when I was in elementary school I met the guy who introduced me to the saxophone. I think the difference was that every other time I was being convinced I could do things that were easy and that just doing it was okay. Mr. Tulga tried to get me to do something that was hard, and insisted I could do it better. Up until that point any thing I learned how to do was use and forget, there wasn't a reason to redo it or try it anymore. This is partially a product of the subject, but dumbing down the expectations to the point where success was pretty much given made success feel pointless until I could do something not everyone could do.


2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?
Over involvement. I had a teacher that felt she had me figured out on a personal level, and my parents played along for most of the year until they finally figured out she was nuts. (I kept trying to tell them). Yes, you have me for six hours, but you also have like 30 other kids and I have my game face on, so to speak. I'm keeping my head down and trying to navigate shit, I don't have the capacity to convince the other kids I'm not a spazz and the teacher that I'm in a good place with my sense of self. Look, if I'm taking a little too much delight in in dissecting a frog or keep putting gum in another kids hair-alright. But if I read during recess now and then because I don't like baseball and that's what the other kids are playing it's because I played little league for a year and I really just don't fucking like baseball-it's not a sign of a deeper seated problem. See me next week when we're playing soccer, I'll be all over it you psycho bitch.

Hmm. Still a little pissed.

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?
Anything that wasn't rote.

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?
Rote. So much that I don't care if I'm using the right spelling.

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.
I was in the pilot GATE program at our school. Nothing sucks more than telling a bunch of 4th graders that they're all at the same level but these kids are just a touch smarter. Yay recess time then...

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?
Figuring shit out will make me feel about as special as I need. Don't make me a super freak because I did it first in the same way you shouldn't make me a super freak because I did it last. (both happened, I don't want to paint myself as a brainiac) You can challenge the faster students without putting targets on their backs.

I guess that's a catch 22, you want the other kids to aspire to that, and just because you're the quick one doesn't mean everyone is going to hate you. I've seen bright kids be 'popular' and really, I've never seen a total dumbass be all that well liked.

So let me revise this. I think everything I just said is a giant excuse. It wasn't the teachers putting me in the program that made things difficult now and then on the playground, I was just kind of a spazzy little kid. Just took some time to figure things out.

So...um...take from that what you will. I just suddenly feel like calling bullshit on my own bullshit there. I'm not the brightest and never have been-kind of clever, maybe-but there was nothing about being bright that prevented people from getting on with other people. One of the smartest cats I know was also crazy charismatic. And one of the better liked kids was in the same GATE thing I was. anyway...And really, I was better liked than I thought at the time. There were like 3-4 people who didn't like me, and no one liked them, so I was a moron to put too much stock in that.

Thank you doctor.

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?
Fuck if I know. And I know a lot of teachers, too. But the only time I talk about their work is when their students do something monumentally stupid.

I guess being able to realize when their students are bored and when to be okay with that. My lit professor friend who had to teach English and Grammar at a business college was pressed about boredom said, "You know what, Grammar is boring sometimes. Not everything they're going to do is going to be riveting, especially after college. Maybe they need to learn to work through boredom instead of me having to put on a clown suit to teach gerund phrases-that's just creating a bullshit expectation for the rest of their lives."


Thank you in advance for anyone who chooses to participate. :D

Oh no, thank you.

Whether I get the job or continue to sub next year, I've begun to prepare for just my second year in California's public education system, and I'd like your help.

What I'm looking for is input, advice, experience and suggestions--

First of all my condolences. California and public education say it all. Don't beat your head against the wall. Don't try to change the system. Don't try to educate the children. You can't do that. You can only baby sit and teach the tests that are required by the federal government so "all children are left behind."

If I sound like a cynic, I am.

My advice is to find a job outside of teaching. I know, as I used to be one in post secondary education and I know that primary and secondary education is worse. Enlist in the military, it is a better and more rewarding job.

PS and less dangerous.

Oh, shit-I know that the most irratating thing is a kid just pushing the 'why' thing, but really-as a teacher especially, ride it out. The ones that would tell me why even if I might not understand it, those were the best. That would tell me why and let me flail a bit trying to come up with a better road to the goal-I'd understand better the process having tried to get around it.

This, too, can backfire-I might think that I got where I was supposed to but since I missed a step that will help me later, so if you have a little arrogant prick like that you still have double check and answer some whys that were never asked. But I hated when I wanted to know why something was being done or being done a certain way and I got a 'just do it.'

Of course this means that Mr. Miyagi would not have been able to teach me Karate and the Cobra Ki would have continued to whoop my ass.

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?
From what I remember, the most effective ones were always patient and made everything seem fun. Sometimes a competitive spirit is helpful (games, etc.) But above all, I think patience is most important. Even as a gifted kid, when we covered something I'd already learned, the teacher was understanding and tried to keep us involved. Most of the memories are blurry, but that seems to be the general idea. :tongue:

2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?
I can only think of one bad teacher, and two that were not exceptional. My 1st grade teacher yelled. Often. She was very obstinate(? not sure of the right word there). I remember a specific instance where I had to rewrite something like 8 times for her.
The other two different. 3rd grade was a new teacher from a different school system who seemed to go about things differently.

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?
Honestly I loved my Excel classes. They were the best parts of my day.

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?
Not much. :tongue:

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns?
Gifted and talented program. It was great, because for me regular class was too slow. It allowed me to go beyond.
Also, being born without half of my arm was more a social than educational barrier. Except with jump rope in gym. Bastard rope.

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?
I mentioned the Excel stuff, but nothing for my arm. Really, it's not like I needed any help in that department.

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?
Everyone learns differently, and it is important to be patient with kids until you figure out how they learn and at what speed.

Sadly - I can't remember much about my elementary school teachers. (most of what I do remember is my own mischief) The most positive thing I remember was getting assigned special tasks and special privileges to achieve them. not just being the line monitor or cafeteria help - but also having a special classroom project that nobody else was doing and getting to work on it at various times. (alone or as part of a small group)

I also remember a 'rocketship' with twelve stages - as I learned my multiplication tables my paperdoll went up a stage. I really enjoyed the competitiveness of it. We had something similar for spelling but I don't recall the details.

To start off with I would like to say that I am thrilled to FINALLY be able to voice my views as a 15 year old kid!

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?

Having children learn things by expreicneing them themselves is alwyas cool. For example, our entire school put a 'bean tax' on us to re-create the unfair taxes of the British on the colonies. It was really cool b/c it felt like we got to live it, and it helped us understand the history better. I don't think I will ever forget the whole thing we did.

But you do not have to be this extreme with it. Instead, try things like plays and historical fiction stuff, along with movies. Try to incorporate EVERY type of learning: bisual, kinestic, auditory, and oral. Trust me, it REALLY works and not only does it prepare you for the tests, the kids actually remember it later in life.

One thing that my 6th grade history teacher did that was always cool was that she dressed up as the characters of time period she was talking about that day. I remember that it always got us interested in learning about what she was going to say.


2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?
JUST TAKING ENDLESS NOTES. Everyone says that 'writing it down will make you learn it better', but please, PLEASE don't take this advice! It is definitly NOT worth it! B/c what happens is that someone takes sloppy notes, someone forgets to write something down, etc. The best thing to do would be before a test to give out your own study guide of what EXACTLY will be on the test. And also, back to what I said before about learning, taking notes DOES NOT stick in kids minds nearly as well as getting kids involved (And this does not only apply to history; when teaching science, make sure to actually do an experiment that shows what you just explained). And group projects are always fun; though please LET THEM pick their own groups! I know from experience that some kids just don't get along.

And lastly on this subject, DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT EVER GROUP THE SMART KIDS WITH THE STUPID ONES IN ORDER FOR THEM TO TEACH EACH OTHER. I know this from experience, THIS DOES NOT WORK! What ends up happening is the smart kid could be a jerk about it, or the stupid kid does not know that he/she is the stupid kid in the situation and instead tries to lecture the smart ones, the smart kid could be wrong, etc, but mainly its that it discourages kids from showing their intelligence.

Another thing: When you show something or do something, make sure that it is clear to the kids HOW it fits into what you are learning. I cannot stress how frustrating it gets when you are being shown something about fire ants when you are supposed to be learning about the solar system >.<

One last thing for this question: If you punish the class, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS tell WHY you are punishing them and exactly WHAT THEY DID. It was completely awful for me in school when a teacher would say "YOU KNOW WHY" or some insane comment on that. Oh, and while I'm on this topic, do not punich the ENTIRE class unless absolutely neccessary! It is very unfair to the kids who didn't do anything wrong to be forced to miss out on recess.

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?
Pretty much everything! I went to a really nice public school with excellent teachers (most of the issues I discuss occured with substitutes) and I really enjoyed my time there. I suppose if I had to choose, I would say recess and learning new things through games and such.

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?
Working with mean kids, having recess taking away (BTW, unless the children plot your death, NEVER TAKE RECESS AWAY! Some crackpot people claim that the reason obesity is such a problem with children today is that we don't have enough P.E.! But that is SOO not true! Most of the time we spent in P.E. was learning random crap and NOT moving! No, the reason obesity is a problem is caused by TWO main reasons. ONE: My parents WALKED TO SCHOOL. For a lot of kids, including me, this is NOT an option for us! TWO: My mother got a freakin' HOUR of recess every day! By the time I was in elementary school, it was only 20 minutes! We like to move; we NEED to move!)

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.
I was probably the smartest in my class (Though there was this one kid who I could beat in anything but he was a boy and I'm a girl so everyone in my class thought that HE was the smart one...but that's a whole other story...) and I was in enrichment programs. One problem however, I was very quiet. I didn't get put into those programs I just mentioned until my 3rd grade SAT scores came in because I did not shout or brag about intelligence; my mom always got mad at the school b/c the kids who got in it immediatly were not very bright but very loud. Anyway, the point of this is that YOU MUST NOT CONFUSE KNOWLEDGE WITH THE LEVEL OF NOISE A KID PRODUCES!

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?
As I mentioned before, do not group kids so that you can have some of them teach the others. It simply doesn't work. Although, I have no problems in having the teacher choosing seats at the beginning of the year. I was always VERY shy, so it was nice to already be sitting by people I didn't know b/c it allowed me to make friends easier. HOWEVER, it would be nice to let the kids pick their own seats by the second semester, b/c they should know each other by then.

Okay, two more things then I'm done: ONE- Please don't call on kids who don't raise their hands. I know it is a method to try to get kids involved, but for kids like me, I got so embarrassed being called on that I couldn't answer, and honestly, what good does that do? They WILL eventually raise their hands at some point in the year, so let them do it themselves. Not answering does not always mean that they aren't paying attention.

And lastly: A cool way to have your class study for a test would be to have a fake game show with the information on the test. For example, split the class up and have a jeopardy game! It encourages kids to WANT to know what the info for the test is, especially if they can get small prizes at the end. In speaking of prizes, do fun things before the holidays! My teachers would make the lessons have holiday themes, throw fun little parties, organize a gift exchange or something of that nature, and just plain have fun! It's a great way to make lessons enjoyable, and the parents love the cratfs that the kids make.

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?
Let kids be kids. Cut them some slack sometimes. They only have six or seven (depeding on where you live) years of this, so please, make it enjoyable AND productive. :)

Oh and, I almost forgot. Do not encourage averageness. Encourage kids to be unique, give them some free time! My first grade teacher always gave us a 20 minute free writing time, and I always enjoyed it as a way to express myself. Maybe you could even incorporate it into a project. Oh and also give them free reading time. It's nice to take a break from schoolwork.

As many of you with kids know, the new school year is just around the corner (I can hear the cheers already). I'm a public school teacher, currently a substitute, but I've applied and interviewed for a full-time job. Whether I get the job or continue to sub next year, I've begun to prepare for just my second year in California's public education system, and I'd like your help.

What I'm looking for is input, advice, experience and suggestions--not from other teachers (though that's appreciated, too!)--but from regular people who have been through or are in public school, which should be most of you.

Below is a short questionnaire about your experiences in elementary/primary school (ages 5-12). If you've ever had a teacher that was particularly excellent or particularly horrendous, I want to hear about it, and what made that teacher effective/horrible. I've found that listening to others' experiences is extremely helpful to me when planning my own lessons, developing classroom management plans, etc.


----Questionnaire----

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?
Teachers that allowed us to be creative and sparked discussions. Even at a young age, I remember trying to reason the world out with classmates. Effective teachers asked us questions and let us discuss it.

2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective? Group punishment at a young age doesn't do much. Also, I had a teacher in first grade that expected I'd know to do my work for the day (after my first abscence- very extended) and she kept me after school until I finished the days assignments. It terrified my mom, becaue I wasn't home when I should have been by hours. When I saw my mom's terror when she finally figured out where I was, it confused me. My teacher made me do something that upset my mom.

On a side note, in first and second grade, long coloring porjects bored and angered me. It was obvious it was busy work.

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school? Parachute day in gym class and musical instrument day in music. As far as teaching, I went to a different class for reading. That teacher let us pick a sticker (called GFI's and I can't remember what that stood for) for every assigment we completed 100% on the first try. And they weren't the lame teacher stickers either, they were awesome stickers.

4. What did you hate or dread most about school? Kids picked on me and the teachers ignored it. I mean, I was beaten up, stabbed repeatedly with a compass, ect all in class. Teachers just pretended not to notice.

I also dreaded the school musicals. The songs were horrible, they made us do embarassing things.

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.

I had ADD. I know the diagnosis has changed, but that's what it was called when I was in school.



6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?
I was easily bored with the lectures. I'd work on homework while the teacher talked. I didn't learn well from the lectures/instruction in elementary school. I learned best from the book. The teachers that let me do my homework at my own pace were awesome. I just didn't need my hand held though much of elementary school, and I was fine with the teacher's extra instruction, just as long as I was able to work at my own pace.

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?
Teachers need to be more sensitive to interactions kids have amongst eachother. I was bullied horribly and often I'd get in trouble for acting out. I got that teachers couldn't do all that much outside of class. I got that there were places on the playground away from teacher's watchful eye. But it would have been nice if they just aknowledged there was something going on. Even an "I don't want to get involved because sometimes it makes it worse" would have been awesome.

Conserative Morality, Setulan, Dumb Ideologies, TJ, CToaN, Fleckenstein, Mystic and Snafturi: Thank you all so much for your responses! I've read them all and I'm making a list of ideas (both do and don't) as I go. The specific things like "hated group projects where I did all the work/liked teachers who were patient" are especially helpful.

Snafturi, I'm really sorry to hear about the bullying you went through--that is something I make absolutely sure never to tolerate in my classroom, I wasn't bullied but I was sort of an outcast and made fun of.

Celtlund, I... appreciate the concern? But this is the career I've chosen, at least for the next few years, and I think I can do a lot more than babysit. I've definitely had days and weeks where I wanted to tear my hair out, but the students who gave me the most trouble were generally the students who needed the most from me, and the ones I had the biggest impact on.

My favorite student was a boy who never did his homework, frequently got in arguments with other students and me, a student I had to suspend more than once. He was also very smart and talented, only no one had ever told him so, and he underwent a lot of mental, emotional and physical abuse at home. He moved to another state at the end of the year and I couldn't keep track of him anymore, but I like to think that wherever he is, whatever tough time he's having, he remembers at least one teacher who told him he was smart, and believed in him.

Conserative Morality, Setulan, Dumb Ideologies, TJ, CToaN, Fleckenstein, Mystic and Snafturi: Thank you all so much for your responses! I've read them all and I'm making a list of ideas (both do and don't) as I go. The specific things like "hated group projects where I did all the work/liked teachers who were patient" are especially helpful.

Snafturi, I'm really sorry to hear about the bullying you went through--that is something I make absolutely sure never to tolerate in my classroom, I wasn't bullied but I was sort of an outcast and made fun of.

Celtlund, I... appreciate the concern? But this is the career I've chosen, at least for the next few years, and I think I can do a lot more than babysit. I've definitely had days and weeks where I wanted to tear my hair out, but the students who gave me the most trouble were generally the students who needed the most from me, and the ones I had the biggest impact on.

My favorite student was a boy who never did his homework, frequently got in arguments with other students and me, a student I had to suspend more than once. He was also very smart and talented, only no one had ever told him so, and he underwent a lot of mental, emotional and physical abuse at home. He moved to another state at the end of the year and I couldn't keep track of him anymore, but I like to think that wherever he is, whatever tough time he's having, he remembers at least one teacher who told him he was smart, and believed in him.

Oh, yeah, and as a grown up who has done some subsitute teaching I've figured out the "rebel" kids really respond well to you taking them out into the hallway and being like "look, I know you're smart and you gotta look cool, and I get that, but could you like chill for a little bit so I can get the rest of the explaining done so you guys can have time to do your assignment?" and most of them are really cool with obeying after that. The taking them out in the hallway is part of it though, because their friends think they really got in trouble. :p

I'm glad I could be of help!:wink:

As many of you with kids know, the new school year is just around the corner (I can hear the cheers already). I'm a public school teacher, currently a substitute, but I've applied and interviewed for a full-time job. Whether I get the job or continue to sub next year, I've begun to prepare for just my second year in California's public education system, and I'd like your help.

What I'm looking for is input, advice, experience and suggestions--not from other teachers (though that's appreciated, too!)--but from regular people who have been through or are in public school, which should be most of you.

Below is a short questionnaire about your experiences in elementary/primary school (ages 5-12). If you've ever had a teacher that was particularly excellent or particularly horrendous, I want to hear about it, and what made that teacher effective/horrible. I've found that listening to others' experiences is extremely helpful to me when planning my own lessons, developing classroom management plans, etc.

----Questionnaire----

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?



2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?



3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?



4. What did you hate or dread most about school?



5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.



6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?



7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?



Thank you in advance for anyone who chooses to participate. :D

1. The teacher I liked best was my 6th grade teacher. He was totally cute and drove a hot car. The best teacher was my 4th grade teacher. She really liked her students and took care to give attention to each one, challenging them whenever possible.

2. This may sound stupid, but the worst teacher I had was bad, not because of her skills and ability, but because of her hygiene. She had bad breath and body odor. This put a lot of students off. It's really hard to concentrate when someone actually smells bad and you're stuck with them.

3. I loved anything having to do with science.

4. I loved to read, but hated the reading class. Those stupid "See Spot, see Spot run. Oh look at Dick and Jane" books put me to sleep.

5. No handicaps per se, I was just physically awkward because I matured more quickly than the other girls (I mean menarche at age 9) and was teased a lot for that..

6. This was in the '50s, there were no strategies. Kids who were too "different" went to special schools.

7. 1. You're an adult, they're kids, they don't want to be your friend. 2. Hard as it is, don't play favorites, teacher's pet will be tormented by the other kids.

im sorry that I don't have time to do your full survey im really....really tired But yeah just be aware about ADD and something called dysgraphia which effects handwriting and punctuation and spelling

I was pulled in to teach 5 year olds for one day since I had nothing better to do and it was basically baby-sitting.

Worst job ever.

I'm sure there's great rewards in teaching but kids, man, they're freaking nightmares.

My favourite teacher was a Physics teacher, he'd actually worked on the nose cone for the space shuttle back in the day, good old British engineer.

Whenever we were too far ahead of the syllabus, he'd pull out the TV and stick on Tom & Jerry cartoons, he was a real aficionado and used to provide some background and little anecdotes before the episodes.

First, it meant we were focused on working hard because we enjoyed those sessions so much, not because it was a class of cartoons but because he so enjoyed them, telling us about them and watching them.

I think we don't get these things in class, teachers are people too, with their own passions and purpose and I think it's healthy to throw in a class here and there to something relatively obscure yet both interesting and entertaining.

So, mix it up a little, don't just concentrate on the syllabus 100%, I think it adds interest for the kids as well as keeping you relatively sane.

The worst teachers were those who simply droned through the syllabus as though it were a chore - I can imagine it gets repetitive for them as well - hence, create a little fun time for yourself in class as much as it's for the kids.

As many of you with kids know, the new school year is just around the corner (I can hear the cheers already). I'm a public school teacher, currently a substitute, but I've applied and interviewed for a full-time job. Whether I get the job or continue to sub next year, I've begun to prepare for just my second year in California's public education system, and I'd like your help.

What I'm looking for is input, advice, experience and suggestions--not from other teachers (though that's appreciated, too!)--but from regular people who have been through or are in public school, which should be most of you.

Below is a short questionnaire about your experiences in elementary/primary school (ages 5-12). If you've ever had a teacher that was particularly excellent or particularly horrendous, I want to hear about it, and what made that teacher effective/horrible. I've found that listening to others' experiences is extremely helpful to me when planning my own lessons, developing classroom management plans, etc.

----Questionnaire----

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?


2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?


Thank you in advance for anyone who chooses to participate. :D

1. The teachers that would let me read in class when I finished my work before the others. I had gone to an all day pre-school and kindergarden so I was able to do a lot of things most of the rest of the class had to learn so I would whip through the assignments in half the time the other children did. Some teachers felt that it would bother the other kids, but I would be more disruptive if I didn't have something to do so they let me do my own thing as long as I was quiet.

2. The only really bad teacher I can think of was my second grade teacher. She was a just horrible person, and most days she would end up making at least one of the students cry. She has crazy rules that were random and had for second graders to follow. Have to sit quietly, looking forward, doing nothing if you have finished your work before the rest, you had to do all of your homework in blue pen, if you didn't she wouldn't even mark it and she would embarrass you in front of the whole class by saying when she had back the homework, "Oh, you got a 0, I guess you should have followed the rules."

3. I liked going to the library and getting to pick out what I wanted to read. I looked forward to music classes and science class the most because it meant that we got to do something than just sitting there in class.

4. I hated the bullying and teachers that would ignore it. I was always small and I was also younger than most so people liked to pick on me. I could usually defend myself if someone tried to beat me up, but when I fought back, I would get punished and when I didn't the other children never got punished. I didn't think it was fair because I wouldn't look for a fight. I would mind my own business, playing with my friends and these kids would come and try to beat me up for no reason and the teachers didn't seem to care, even when I would come up to them bleeding. They seemed more annoyed that they had to write me a pass to see the nurse than some kids beat me up.

5. I was advanced for my age, age wise I should have started kindergarden according to my school's rules when I started first grade, but they thought I would be bored so they let me go ahead and start first grade.

6. I was still bored in first grade, I probably could have started with second academically with no issues. There wasn't much my school could do about it. I was allowed to do as I like by first grade teacher as long as I didn't bother the other kids. She at first gave me busy work, but I didn't like it and would have trouble sitting still because of that. She figured out it was better just leave me to myself.

7. All students are different, you have to try to suit a class full of kids of very different ability levels all the time, which is very difficult. Use a variety of teaching methods, especially with the littlest kids, they get bored quickly. Set up some basic rules for the class, no bullying, etc. Be careful to not to make rules that do not seem to have a reason though, it can upset the students.

is it just me or is NS full of teachers? *throws loose change on floor*

----Questionnaire----

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?

being silly, interesting stories, jokes

just talking to the class is really important I have to say

2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?

not keeping control of the class, sending kids out (seriously its just giving up imho) and not being attentive

all in all you need to be involved even if it means you work yourself to death :p

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?

making displays, getting outside (huge one there, in particular when we did about bugs) and general bunking off

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?

sitting there just watching something and disorganization

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.

I was arty in school (which I didn't want) and went to special classes for my reading and writing

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?

All you need to do is just recognize it and adapt for it. If I have to be pulled out of the class for 30 mins do not expect me to get all the work done and do not single me out

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?

kids will do anything for candy and remember children are not at work

never saw the world even then in terms of people. school was generally my only contact with persons my own age most of my childhood. never was, nor really cared that much about being social. though it might have been nice to have gotten to know SOME of them better then i ever did.

so the main thing for me, what i looked forward to, was the diversity of things to explore that weren't there at home. just like anyplace else other then at home. to explore and see all the different kinds of things that were there.

what i dreaded was the depressing insistence on arbitrary assumptions, mostly from my 'peers', but also to a degree in the lessons and classess themselves. which wasn't to bothersome with some things, but with others, know something wasn't quite right, not quite adding up, but not able at that age yet to quite put my finger on it, that was most bothersome.

especially later on, when teachers would orchestrate influencing the whole class to gang up against my refusal to lie to myself economically and politically.

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?

I had a good teacher for English Literature when I was 15/16 - I know its outside your age range, but I think the things that made her good would have worked at any age. Basically, she had two massive interests: English Literature and her pupils. The school was rough as hell and most of us only turned up to lessons when the weather was too bad to do anything else, but she had us glued to our seats acting out Macbeth in class. She approached us with humour and respect and made a real effort to communicate with us, rather than standing up at the front of class parroting stale text-book responses.

2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?

Disinterest or boredom in either the subject, teaching or both.
Inability to cope with a wide variety of children - some teachers were ok at their subject, but focussed on a small group of children and ignored the rest.
Some of my teachers seem to believe that imagination and intellect were undesirable qualities which should be stifled rather than encouraged. at about age 9 I drew a spaceship for a competition, but despite putting in many hours of effort, my drawing was laughed at, crumpled up and thrown in the bin in front of the whole class because it wasn't a rocket. There was a reason it wasn't a rocket, but the teacher didn't bother to ask. Of course, that teacher never got a thing from me for the rest of school, and I didn't get a thing from him, which was pretty ineffective educating.


3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?

Coming home.

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?

Everything.

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.

Before I started school, my mum taught me to read and write and do basic arithmetic - I was very bright and I was also very musical and could read music and play the piano well.

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?

The school seemed to see my already knowing some things as an afront. I was continually excluded from activities and education and my music was disparaged openly. I was caned on my first day at primary school because I could read. Not being penalised for doing well, or even a few words of encouragement would have made a vast difference to me.


7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?
I think the most important, and possibly most difficult task for any teacher is to see each child in their class as in individual person and to treat them as such. These children are on the cusp of becoming people, and what they learn about their own validity in the eyes of others will stay with them for life.

I'd like your help.
As one elementary school teacher to another, let me say: RUN AWAY!!!!!!!! :p

No? Still there? Ok, you're nutty enough to be a teacher then. ;)

What I'm looking for is input, advice, experience and suggestions--not from other teachers (though that's appreciated, too!)
Aww... Well, I'm gonna answer anyway. BTW, I'm heading into my second year of elementary teaching as well, fourth year of full time teaching.

----Questionnaire----

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?
An interest in the subject they were teaching at the time, an interest in the students, the ability to be spontaneous when the class demanded it, and (while I didn't appreciate it at the time, but do now both looking back and as a teacher), the ability to crack the whip on us as well. Pretty much the best teachers were the ones who listened to us and were willing to play from time to time, but still remain teachers.

2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?
Inflexible, unwilling to try something new, and also unwilling to let go of the notion that the teacher knows everything. Discipline is a good thing, being a marionette is not however.

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?
As a student, recess and/or reading time (Same thing to me), as a teacher, vacation. ;)

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?
Interacting with some of the kids.

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.
I managed to hit all the categories. I was in the GT program, had an IEP for LD and ADD, and also fell under a 504 due to deafness and a speech disorder because of it (I'm special).

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?
The teachers who did best with me were the ones who understood what they had on their hands and attempted to accommodate me to the best of their ability. This meant that I automatically got a seat up front and to the left of the board, it was understood that from time to time I could just NOT sit still and if I had finished my work, I could take a walk around the classroom, and other odds and ends. My first grade teacher would give me a ball and tell me to go outside and bounce it against the wall for a bit till I got myself back under control. The best of teachers also never let me cost on either being bright or my disabilities, but did make me put my books away and pay attention, even if I didn't like it.

The ones who did poorly however were the ones who ignored both my gifts and disabilities and attempted to just force me to "behave" and stay inside the boxes. That never worked out too well.

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?
Dunno, still finding out more things that I need to know about. If you get a good list, could ya share it with me? :D

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?
The ability to recognize that we weren't all alike, and didn't force us all to fit the cookie cutter mold conceived of by mandated lesson plans.

2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?
Inability to control the class. Making us all fit the cookie cutter mold.

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?
Time spent working one on one with the teacher.

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?
Interacting with most of the kids.

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.
I have Aspergers, which wasn't recognized back then by teachers.
I was considered the odd kid with the "high IQ".

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?
Teachers who worked one on one with me did well. I had zero interest in most "kid" activities, and was already far beyond grade level in nearly all areas. Even in the GT program, I was better off with teachers who treated me as an adult in a child's body.

The ones who did poorly however were the ones who ignored both my gifts and disabilities and attempted to just force me to "behave" and stay inside the boxes. That never worked out too well.

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?
That every kid is different, and there's no "one size fits all" way to teach.

As many of you with kids know, the new school year is just around the corner (I can hear the cheers already). I'm a public school teacher, currently a substitute, but I've applied and interviewed for a full-time job. Whether I get the job or continue to sub next year, I've begun to prepare for just my second year in California's public education system, and I'd like your help.

What I'm looking for is input, advice, experience and suggestions--not from other teachers (though that's appreciated, too!)--but from regular people who have been through or are in public school, which should be most of you.

Below is a short questionnaire about your experiences in elementary/primary school (ages 5-12). If you've ever had a teacher that was particularly excellent or particularly horrendous, I want to hear about it, and what made that teacher effective/horrible. I've found that listening to others' experiences is extremely helpful to me when planning my own lessons, developing classroom management plans, etc.

----Questionnaire----

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?


2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?

Thank you in advance for anyone who chooses to participate. :D

1. My best teachers never really got angry, but could be stern when necessary. They were always really nice. And they always came up with simple, but interesting (for a kid) ways of teaching concepts.

2. I can't really say, I had good teachers throughout elementary school.

3. Recess/Lunch/Friends/P.E.

4. Bratty/mean kids

5. Yes, I was "gifted/talented"

6. There was a program called Enrichment. We generally got to learn random, cool, and challenging stuff, so it was pretty nice. The only complaint I have, looking back, is the general structure of class (not Enrichment, regular class). I think it would be much better if kids could learn harder material in subjects they were good at, but this would a) Require a higher teacher to student ratio, or b) Require not having a single teacher all day, though that might be ok, preferably both.

7. I don't really know, I'll think on it and possibly respond later.

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?

Some of the good teachers? What are you smoking? All of the good teachers I ever had were in middle and secondary school. My teachers in elementary school, excluding grade 1, as I was still going to school in Toronto where teachers were actually sane and didn't treat me like a fucking albatross.

I remember that teacher being nice and patient. Mrs Walker. She also had a big tooth posted up on the side of her filing cabinet and when you lost a tooth, you got a little cardboard tooth put up.

The ones that gave free reading time and a chance to be creative were good, though there were so few of them.

2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?

My grade 2 teacher, Mrs Gray was a bitch. I got shoved into remedial reading. My parents didn't like it and forced the school to take me out. I didn't have any trouble reading. She did it because I have a hearing disability and she didn't want to deal with me. I could read just fine. My only problem was I had come into the class in November. I had originally been going to school in Toronto until my dad got a job in Ottawa and my parents moved there.

This is the same teacher that couldn't wait to get me out of the classroom and even went as far as to suggest that I take grade 2 all over again. Who the hell flunks grade 2? I mean, really. It wasn't like I didn't learn anything. She really didn't like me. But it wasn't my fault I wasn't learning the same BS her students were.

That's when I first met this horrid teacher's aid by the name of Mrs Miniker. Didn't deal much with her until the 3rd grade.

I'm mostly indifferent to my grade 3 teacher, Mrs Seeger. She was ok, though, like my 2nd grade teacher, insisted on sending me to see this stupid fucking woman by the name of "Mrs Miniker" who was a condescending bitch. I was to see her frequently because I was hearing aids. She made me feel stupid. I hated it! Mrs Seeger didn't listen to me or my parents...

But, Seeger wasn't that bad. She graded me averagely and said I could be a good writer but it didn't help that I still felt like I was being treated differently.

Oh now my 4th grade teacher was a drunk. She never graded our papers. She almost never came to class and when she did, she was useless. Of course, her name was befitting of her personality, "Mrs Loader". Useless, useless, useless louse! She was replaced with Mrs Henderson who wound up being the opposite and punctual with the grading of papers.

I still had to deal with Miniker here. She was even worse. I was getting older and she was still treating me like I was 5 years old. I hated that woman so much. And that wasn't bad enough. My teacher wouldn't even discretely take me aside, she would annouce before the entire fucking class that I had to go down to see this bitch.

My 6th grade teacher had it in for me. She stifled my artistic creativity big time. I still remember this one assignment. We were each given a sheet of black paper and we had pastels to draw with. We were to first trace a basic shape of a flower petal then colour it in. I didn't make my flowers a solid colour, I made my flowers pretty and colourful. The teacher then to flunk me on this art assignment if I didn't do one version of these stupid flowers in a single solid fucking colour! As if it makes a fucking difference what colour I use.

The same teacher made me write lines because I wouldn't put up with this boy in my class bullying me (what can I say, I took matters into my own hands). It wasn't like she didn't know I was bullied.

They all stifled my creativity. Graded me biasly. Treated me like crap because I was differently abled and supported the school when it forced me to go get a psychiatric assignment so they could label me. They were happy when I could be labelled.

Diagnosed not just with ADD, not ADHD but BOTH! Yeah, wrap your head around that one. I was diagnosed with both. Luckily I have sane parents who refused to put me on any medication. But these teachers were unwilling to deal with me in my free-spirit form. I didn't draw in the lines.

I got that label removed from my file in grade 7. My dad got it removed.

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?

Silent time. Reading. Independent work. Any time I got to draw or write.

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?

Recess. I was bullied. I lost friends because of bullies. It wasn't so bad in grade 2. It got worse. It became really bad in grade 5, though in grade 4 I was confronted by a boy in my class who grabbed my shoulders and kicked me between the legs several times. He never got a trouble and I had two girls with me, who didn't help.

I was called all sorts of names. I got hit.

One time in grade 4, I was with two 'friends' when we were walking back to the school grounds after lunch, we all went to the same caregiver's house. I was trailing behind. One of the girls I was with had been running and kicked a bunch of stuff out of the way that had been serving as goal posts for a game of mini-hockey. I was the last one who came by and one of the boys blocked my way and asked if the girl was my friend and I said yes. He said he would be the crap out of me if I didn't go punch her.

Long story short, I punched her. I was young and stupid. After I did that, I could see he was happy and left me alone. The lunch lady who was on duty came over and said that I was going to the principal's office. This woman was large and at the same moment threatened me physically, saying that if I ever hit the girl again she would clean my clock.

When I was sitting in the office, I tried to explain what happened and it didn't work. I was in trouble.

The girl's father threatened legal action.

The next day, I was running and didn't look where I was going and collided with the same crybaby. I got a week's detention even though it was an accident. We want into each other and she said I attacked her. No one listened to me except my parents.

The name calling was horrible. I never got invited to play in anything. Sure I had a couple of friends but by the end of grade 6, I was isolated.

This girl who sat beside me in class in grade 6 used to punch me and call me "puffs". Then the people in my class started to call me 'puff ball'. The same girl stole one of my books and refused to return it to me. The teacher didn't do anything about it.

That's just a small version... this doesn't include the minor bullying or the crap I put up with in grade 7 and 8.

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns?

As I said, I have a hearing disability, though I don't require hearing aids. But still, I was treated differently. I was diagnosed with ADD and ADHD.

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?

Did they? Hah! If they did, I wouldn't have been bullied by my peers. It got to the point where I couldn't even take out my hearing aids and put them back in without snide comments. I was forced to wear them.

The teachers could have been more patient and graded everyone fairly. But they didn't.

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?

That students all learn differently. That just because we don't pay attention isn't because we have ADD or anything. That because we're differently abled that we should be treated differently.

1. Thinking of some of the good teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them effective?
My favourite teacher was the music teacher. She was so fun! She never got angry with any of the kids, but she could be stern enough and control the class. You could tell she was really passionate about her job. In fact, I could say that for every music teacher I've ever had.

2. Thinking of some of the bad teachers you've had, what characteristics or methods made them ineffective?
I had a teacher who completely ignored bullying. I thought she was alright until me and a friend decided to tell her about a girl who had been bullying us since the start of the school year. We were upset about it, and were met with "oh stop crying" and nothing more. Parents got involved, and the teacher still thought it was just a minor falling out between friends.

I also had a teacher who was just a downright bitch. Put one foot out of line and you'd get a punishment. Do something right, excel at something? She wouldn't even notice.

3. What did you like or look forward to most about elementary school?
Music lessons and concerts.

4. What did you hate or dread most about school?
Group work. It leads to stupid arguments, and the best ideas never get chosen. Plus, theres always one person in the group (me!) who gets stuck doing most of the work.

I also hated sports day with a passion. Sports lessons were pretty bad too, although not as bad as running around a stupid track in front of all the parents.

5. In school, did you have any specific needs or concerns, such as a learning disability, physical handicap, accelerated/advanced abilities (gifted and talented), second language issues, or other medical/mental concerns? Please specify, if you feel comfortable.
I had a ridiculously high reading age, and was in the gifted maths group.

6. If yes to #5, what were the best strategies teachers used to accommodate these? What definitely did not work? What else could your teachers have done to help that would have been more beneficial?
Maths was fine, they just gave us more advanced work. Reading though... there was a set list of books that you had to read in order, and they were so boring! Luckily I was always at my local library, so I had decent books to read at home. Eventually my Mum persuaded them to allow me to skip ahead.

7. What do teachers need to know more about or be more aware of?
Listen to the kids. Otherwise in 15 years, they'll be on an internet forum complaining about how you ignored their bullying/talents/pathetic attempts at sport. ;)

Oh, and don't make everything into a competition. My school was very competitive, and it just lead to name calling and general nastiness.

And lastly: A cool way to have your class study for a test would be to have a fake game show with the information on the test. For example, split the class up and have a jeopardy game!

Heh, I did this with my fourth graders in the first lesson I was ever observed on (where your supervisor watches and taken notes and grades you). I was surprised at how into the kids were and how well it went, until it turned into a bit of a fight...and then a brawl...

I was pulled in to teach 5 year olds for one day since I had nothing better to do and it was basically baby-sitting.

Worst job ever.

I'm sure there's great rewards in teaching but kids, man, they're freaking nightmares.

Hee! The little ones are my favorites. They drive me nuts sometimes, but they've yet to make me cry, unlike the 10-year-olds.

but they've yet to make me cry, unlike the 10-year-olds.

kinky.

This might be a little over your target area, but I had a teacher in 6th grade whom I still think is the most inspirational to me. He had a good sense of humor, told funny stories (when he was about our age, his class was given some paper and told to make a 3-D object with it. So he went ahead and made a toilet. Then the homework he had to do was make a life size object of what they made in hanger wires (?). So the next day, he was sitting in the subway with a toilet made out of wire. ) He was some kind of veterinarian-in-training, but had a good artistic ability (he frequently doodled on everything, from tests to the paper on the overhead projector). What I liked most was that 15 min. before a period began or ended, he let students ask questions about any subject, which caught the attention of many of the students.
I would also like to add that teachers should explain why their subject or what their learning is useful or how it is practical. I've found that students are interested when you can connect what they learn to video games.

kinky.

Oh, blgh. I can't even play along with this one, you've finally found a horror that cannot be ignored. :eek:

Oh, blgh. I can't even play along with this one, you've finally found a horror that cannot be ignored. :eek:

I win!