Barry Westling

Hi Bari: The key in your statement is how to become that better teacher. Better can mean a lot of things and is usually quite individualized since we all have different backgrounds, experiences, and training. Regards, Barry

Hi Elizabeth: Discussionis a good way to keep student engaged if the planned curriculum seems to be missing the target. Also, there is more involvement by the students which will always provide more student participation. Regards, Barry

Hi Elizabeth: Good desciption of the variety of senses involved in a specific learning setting. A lot of this could be applied to almost any classroom. Regards, Barry

Hi Mark: I think that is pretty much on the mark. We give, they take. We measure, they perform. Regars, Barry

Hi Mark: I would agree that "good" organization can assist in role modeling. Many teachers make assumptions about what they believe their student knoew (or should know). I think that's a mistake. Even my most senbior students are given all my expectations from the first to last day of class. It's not fool proof, but I've seen better results when a little bit of time is spent reviewing and clarifying what I expect. Regards, Barry

Hi Allen: Oooh...cold blooded! But I get your point. These are adults, but they often don't act like it. I think students will do or not do what we tolerate as teachers (expectations). So keeping students informed helps them where know where they're at. It is their responsibility to take the needed action to make any improvements needed. Regards, Barry

Hi Lydia: Yes, and they assist the teacher by planning where the weaker students are going to need help. Students also can be motivated when they take a "non-graded" test, and may be surprised about how they actually already know about a subject. So, it's a good deal all the way around. Regards, Barry

Hi Emily: You're right about memory - it begins to fade (nd without effort, we lose as much as 75% within 24 hour). I try to view my jornalizing (notes inserted in selected spaces in the curriculm binder) as my personal on-course correction for quality improvement. Fancy name for tring my best to always be current and, like you, do my best as an instructor. Regards, Barry

Hi Bari: If a teacher is enthusiastic, animated, compassionate, and/or approachable, these personality types reach out to students better than more formal personality styles. I don't think there's anything magical about adapting ones personality. We just need to be willing to adapt and be open (assuming that's not the case already). Regards, Barry

Hi Bari: Organization takes planning and effort. Less than that, a teacher may run the risk of missing key information the students need. Also, students may model their own actions after the poorly organized teacher, and that would be awful. Regards, Barry