A Teacher's Favorite Recipe

This is a recipe that all teachers will want to try...and use frequently!

5 Cups of kindness: Just having a very kind, supportive attitude towards students, colleagues, administration, and parents goes a long way. When you think and act with true kindness many doors that might have remained shut will open. Students need to know that they are liked. They especially want to be liked by their teacher. But sometimes we will come across a student or other person we just plain don't 'like'. Keeping kindness in the for-front of our mind will help guide use to use words, actions, and thoughts that will have productive results.

4 Cups of Child Development Milestones: If we as teachers are not aware of (and more importantly able to apply) where a child is in their development, we will not be able to serve that child well and bring them to their full potential. Our Yardsticks book is a treasure that we should refer back to frequently. But I also think we should find several books regarding child development to compare and contrast. With such knowledge at our finger tips we will have the ability to advocate for those that are either behind or ahead, and keep the educational challenges within the correct or best range for each child.

3 Cups of Child Development Theory: Several great minds have developed a plethora of studies, theories and recommendations on how best to understand child development. These gems assist us in monumental ways. Not only can this information guide us in determining how our classrooms should be set up, but also how to develop age appropriate curriculum. The culmination of all the theories meshed together is vital to our success as teachers. It shapes our views, our standards, and our methods. It is our foundation for education.

2 Cups of Astute Observation: Being able to know each child and their abilities and talents lends itself to better teaching. One must make the time to observe children in various settings to determine their needs, strengths and weaknesses. Recording observations over time is essential to determine if progress has been made. Additionally, these observations are often helpful in gaining parent's involvement with the education process.

2 Cups of Creativity: (I just couldn't go to 1 cup!) The best teachers can think of several ways to present the same material so that all the multiple intelligences are addressed. And creativity makes us as teachers to thoughtfully and with determination to stretch our own comfort zones. This is so important for a teacher to experience because often we will be asking a child to do some stretching as well. Also, creativity is what makes the spice in teaching. It brings out the fun, the silly, the abstract, the concrete ways to teach a child information. In fact, with creativity a child will hopefully discover their own answers - and not even realize they were being 'taught.'


All Children Need: Support, attention, love, approval, opportunity, supplies, rules and boundaries, respect for themselves and others, listening skills, books, to be read to, personal space, responsibility, appropriate and clean clothes, at least 3 meals and 2 snacks of healthy food each day, adequate sleep, friends, and the ability / opportunity to enjoy learning.

All Teachers Should: Understand why children need the things they do in order to be ready to learn. Teachers should assist a child however possible to obtain the things they need in order for the child to be successful. Teachers should always strive for using patience yet know when a boundary needs to be enforced with some tender sternness. Teachers also need the supplies to carry out the curriculum and the support of peers and administration. They also need to get rest, exercise, eat healthy and have balance in their lives in order to be ready for each day's surprises and opportunities to reach and teach our children.

All Schools Should: Develop programs and policies that support not only the needs of children but also the needs of teachers and parents. Ensure supplies, buildings, support services, classroom sizes, etc. are not only adequate but optimal. Advocate, advocate, advocate. Get their school what they need. Get their students what they need.