“Most of the teachers you meet are the best sort of people. They are caring and sensitive. Their value cannot be measured by a series of test scores. But there are some teachers you need to avoid. Sadly, they are in practically every school I have observed. They usually hang out in the lunchroom or parking lot nursing a bad attitude toward teaching, the principal, their students, and often one another. These negative folks do not thrive in solitary confinement, and they invite discouraged young teachers to join their circle of misery. I urge you to stay away from them. These teachers are of no good to you and certainly of no benefit to the students” (pg 14).
“Being tough does not mean being intimidating” (pg 34).
Because I didn’t feel like typing . . .
“But often - more often than most teachers care to debate - students misbehave in school because they are bored . . . the most effective way to keep a class in order is with an interesting lesson. When activities are fascinating and exciting, you have a more reasonable punishment for bad behavior. The punishment is the missing of the lesson, and very few students want to be left out when they actually believe they are going to miss something fun and stimulating” (pg 64)
“Try to set up your lesson as part of a grand scheme . . . to work toward a bigger picture in your own head and in the minds of your students'“ (pg 65).
Students make mistakes, “but if a door is not left open for possible redemption, there is no motivation for a student to try to do better” (pg 71).
“When people are disagreeable might be the most important time of all to be civilized . . . remember that children are watching” (pg 77).
“This job should be fun. Don’t let anyone cause you to forget that” (pg 96).
“Good students help other people. They are aware of the world around them. Real scholars know that the recitation of facts is a beginning, and not and end, of knowledge” (pg 107).
“The best teachers choose character over reputation. It does not matter what misinformed people think about our performance. It matters who we really are” (pg 111).
“Jealousy is an ugly emotion that often leads to unprofessional and cruel behavior” (pg 127).
“Every hour of every day we teachers make sure the kids see the relevance in what they are doing” (pg 139).
Burn brighter, not out (pg 215)
“When pain comes, it is an opportunity to reflect and grow” (pg 215).
And because he’s this kind of teacher, he gets his students to perform - and understand - this type of work:
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