If You Dare to Teach...Dare to Be a Rock Star Teacher
If You Dare to Teach…Dare to be a Rock
Star Teacher
But,
what makes a rock star…a rock star? What makes a normal person more
than just a guy on stage with a band and a microphone? What are the
elements that cause him (or her) to be sought after and revered …
and where can we get some of that special magic for our classroom
teachers?
The greatest of
all classroom teachers are indeed “rock stars”.
Bono has nothing on them. When they walk down the hall,
students call their names, they are sought out in stores, at the
movies and on the street – students thirst for the attention of
these special teachers and these teachers give it to them
whole-heartedly. In
return, students are engaged in class and want to do well.
Rock Star Teachers (RSTs) have a cadre of fans hanging on
their every word…waiting to soak up whatever bits of knowledge are
thrust upon them…waiting to perform...waiting to excel.
The formula for Rock Star Teaching is simple…basic even.
Teachers have to love what they do.
Plain and simple. Number one rule. Teachers must love what
they do and love their students…not always and every second of every
day…but generally, as a rule, and more often than not. Kids can tell
if the care and compassion are not sincere. They know if teachers
are faking it. Teachers need to smile…the whole face and body kind
of smile that says “I enjoy what I do and I enjoy you”.
That rock star smile.
Students
should be treated as an audience that must be engaged. Every lesson
must rivet students…must be active and alive.
Teachers need to move among their students— testing and
checking by getting the whole group involved. Making students feel
they are a part of something. Have you ever been to a concert where
only one person in the audience stands and screams and sings? No, it
is most of the people; most of the time. Most importantly, teachers
must be present and enthused…rock stars are.
Subject matter must be engaging and relatable. It truly is up to the
teacher whether or not students are going to love what is presented.
Why do we love music or that special rock star? Because we can
relate to what they are singing. They don’t randomly choose topics
and blurt them out…there is universality in and within their words.
A
rock star teacher finds ways to relate what is taught to the lives
of each student. It may
not be an easy thing to do, but it is possible and it is
necessary…it is the job of a rock star teacher. Finally, rock star
teachers motivate the crowd – make students believe in themselves
and what they are learning. Nobody wants to fail…sometimes…teachers
forget that. Share
this with a teacher you know…ask him or her if he or she is a rock
star teacher.
world. This handbook reaches all levels of learners with scripted
and guided lessons, fluency and comprehension interventions and high
level enrichment activities.