Ingredients of success

The ingredients that jump out at me for an active learning environment is....

PATIENCE: Patience within a teacher is mandatory! If teachers do not carry this attribute they will struggle with children on a day-to-day basis. One has to be patient within the art of teaching and not push a child faster then they want or can learn.

CURIOSITY: This one can work not only on the child's part but also the teachers. It is the responsibility of the educator to try to spark curiosity within a child’s mind within the curriculum. By enhancing the curiosity of the student will aid in students’ asking questions and investigating further about the subject which in the long run could make them run into other related investigations. (Does that make sense?) As for the teacher, it is essential to remain curious about their student’s interests and types of learning. If the teacher is not curious about how he/she can make Johnny learn about math in a more efficient way, then more or likely Johnny will continue to struggle.

TEAMWORK: The classroom as a whole needs to establish a sense of teamwork. This is a huge part of having a successful class. It’s not only the teamwork between peers but also the teacher. This would also categorize under building a community within the class. Everyone needs to work together to enhance a positive learning experience.

RESPECT: Within teamwork is respect for one another. Children and teachers need to treat themselves, peers and educators with respect. This also includes respecting the facilities, classroom, and materials.

COMMUNICATION: Communication between student and teacher is very important. Teachers need to be clear about what they expect from the students. Students need to be able to express themselves clearly to the teachers if they have questions or concerns. (This incorporates trust.) Students also need to be able to communicate with their peers in a respectful effective way.

I believe children need a positive environment to be able to successfully learn not only curriculum but also social skills, and gain more insight about who they are.

I believe teachers should be a positive role model for children and give them opportunities to grow.

I believe schools should support their teachers and provide the materials and/or resources that are needed for the education of the children.