NCLB

No Child Left Behind Act was signed by George Bush on January 8, 2002. This act was aiming to improve on education for disadvantaged students. In order to do that Bush designed: annual testing, academic progress, report cards, and teacher qualifications. Overall I think the NCLB Act was a good aspect to add in schools today. The only thing that I am skeptical on is the annual testing. Teachers nowadays "teach to the test." They focus on the content that is going to be on the test so they don't look like failures as teachers. This failure can cause a lot of big problems. According to Anita Wollfolk schools could be shut down if they do not make the expected grades. The one aspect that I would like to know more about this act is the different teacher qualifications. What type of qualifications are exactly looked at when applying for a teaching job. A big issue that is rising up today is, "Should teachers' jobs and salaries depend on how much their students learn?" I think that they shouldn't depend on how much they learn. You can be the best teacher and students will still not understand the material. It's hard to rely on the children, they are still developing and learning a lot during this time. I think the salary should reflect on how well you teach in the classroom. Making sure every student is involved and having creative ideas. If teachers salaries were based on the students, teachers would be more aware. Teachers would try everything to make their students excel in the classroom. Every day in the classroom teachers should always want to help their students. There are too many teacher out their that don't really care about teaching, "It's just another paycheck."

Teachers play a main role in students lives. That's why it is so important to form a relationship with your students. Most students need someone to look up to and most of time it's their teacher. I know there is one teacher that will always be my role model. The reason why I liked him so much is because he showed that he cared. When teachers show that they care about your learning, students will begin to see a purpose. Not only showing that they care but their love for the subject that they are teaching. If you can find different activities that are fun and helpful in the classroom students will begin to retain the information. These are also the different attributes to explaining what qualifies as a good teacher. There will always be some students in the classroom that will be able to retain more information then the others. A way to help students is to do a lot of one on one work with each student. This will help them develop at their own rates and also begin that connection between teacher and student. I personally think that it is possible to be a personable, caring, and effective teacher. Becoming a teacher you have to have a open personality with your students. Also mentioned above you have to care about your students progress. If you do not care about your students they are not going to care about learning. As a teacher you have to become a positive role model to your students. The relationship that your form with your teacher is so important.

What makes a good teacher?

This video gives a good description of what makes a good teacher. The aspect that I really like about this video is getting students perceptions on what qualities they like about teachers. I am hoping to have these qualities when I become a teacher. This video can also be helpful for inspiring and current teachers.