" Sometimes all you need is a good TEACH ( EAR) "

What is a good teacher?








Depending on one’s perspective, this question has many valid answers. A child might say that a good teacher makes learning fun, is fair, and assigns no homework. A parent might say that a good teacher is organized, has good control of the class, and challenges students. Administrators might say that a good teacher follows district guidelines, presents district curriculum effectively, and contributes to the school community. The school building manager might say a good teacher is tidy, has students clean up after themselves, and makes reasonable demands on his/her time.

Good teachers come in a variety of sizes, shapes,

A good teacher, first and foremost, sees each student as an individual with hopes, dreams, strengths, and vulnerabilities

A good teacher knows her students on many levels. She learns all she can about their academic strengths and needs, but even more about their interests, fears, hopes, and worries.

A good teacher helps her students to develop, achieve, and maintain strong self-esteem.

A good teacher allows her students to see and get to know her real self.

A good teacher remembers that each of her students is somebody’s precious child.

A good teacher makes learning exciting. She helps each student find areas of interest to explore and master.
A good teacher knows that no one can be a good teacher to every student every day, but she continues to try – knowing that if she can be a good teacher to every student many days that she has been successful.



Originally published in the KEA Katalyst, May 1998

Computer Problems!

I was having trouble with my computer. So I called David, the 11 year old next door whose bedroom looks like Mission Control, and asked him to come over.

David clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem.

As he was walking away, I called after him, "So, what was wrong?"

He replied, "It was an ID ten T error."

I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, "An ID Ten T error? What's that? In case I need to fix it again."

David grinned, "Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?"

"No", I replied.

"Write it down," he said, "and I think you'll figure it out."

So I wrote down: I D 1 0 T

I used to like that little boy.

Kids: Too Much TV Equal High BP

Time in front of a Tv screen may be even worse for kids
than paediatricians thought.According to new data, excessive
screen time raises children' blood pressure-even if they're
not overweight.In the study of 111 girls and boys , systolic blood pressure
(the maximum pressure in the arteries ) was six to seven points higher in kids who clocked only about ten minutes daily.




That's enough to affect long-term health, say researcher Joe Eisenmenn , PhD , at Michigan state University.For your kids'heart health , he says, limit daily screen time to two hours and aim for an hour of heart-pumping, off-the-couch activity