Vision of an Effective Educator

For any endeavor to be successful, it is important to know and keep in mind the goal
or mission. For teachers, this is especially important because we are entrusted with
responsibility of helping educate, shape and train our societys most valuable asset,
our children. The following acrostic offers insight on effective educators or
TEACHERS:
T-teach: Teachers need to understand how learning takes place and consistently
deliver instruction that is based on the results of student assessments. The instruction
needs to be based on academic standards deigned to advance each students level of
content knowledge and skills.
E-educated: Teachers need to demonstrate mastery of the content they teach by
credential documentation and by presentation of appropriate evidence -based
instructional practices for the content area taught.
A-ardent: Teachers must be passionate about what they are teaching and its value to
students education and personal development. Teachers need to be able to help
students envision the future and possibilities available.
C-collaborate: Teachers need to teach students how to collaborate and as part of the
teachers need to model collaboration with peers. Collaborating with others who are part
of the immediate educational setting allows for synergy and common vision of the
students. Collaborating with professionals in specific content area allows teachers to
draw in depth of content knowledge and fresh insight.
H-heart: Teachers need to teach to both and mind and the heart of the child. Students
need to be drawn life-long love of learning. Often this requires finding what reaches that
particular student. Teachers need to be able to address the social-emotional well-being
of the students: a sense of security within the classroom setting provides a foundation
or educational risk taking, creativity and ability to deal more effectively with mistakes
and, thereby, correction.
E-engaging: Teachers need charisma. Not everyone is a Pied Piper, but we all learn to
express ourselves in such a way that we draw out the best in our students. Teachers
need to find positive, healthy ways to let students know that they are cared for as
individuals.
R-reflect: Teachers need to take time to reflect upon what has been effective with
individual students and with student groups versus what has not worked as well and
why. Formative and Summative assessments are an important part. This moves
teachers towards refining teaching strategies and procedures.

S- student: teachers need to be students. Teachers need to be life-long learners in

their particular areas of expertise so that we can always be sharpening the ax.
Teachers also need to be a student of their students. I have often found the most
important aspect of teaching is to observe my students in such a way that I van assess
where they need help and what I can do to facilitate their learning and personal growth.