The Effective Teacher

According to Harry K. Wong, an effective teacher has positive expectations for student success, is an extremely good classroom manager, and knows how to design lessons for student mastery. These characteristics apply to all teachers, no matter what grade level or subject is being taught.

The first characteristic that Wong mentioned is positive expectations. It is believed that whatever the teacher expects from the learner is what the learner will produce. This means that if you, as the teacher, expect the learner to perform at a low level, then the student will perform at a low level. You should have high expectations for all of your students. It is also important for your students to not waste energy on negative expectations. The same energy that is used on negative expectations can be used on positive expectations. If you give your students more than they expected, then they will give you more than you expected.

The second characteristic of an effective teacher is great classroom management. The way you manage your classroom is the main factor that will determine how your students learn. Effective management practices must begin on the first day of school. This is important because your students should know what is expected of them. It is also important that a teacher remains consistent. If the teacher is not consistent, then the students will not know what the teacher wants them to do. Procedures and routines organize a well-managed classroom. The characteristics of a well-managed classroom are as follows: 1. Students are deeply involved with their work, especially with academic, teacher-led instruction, 2. Students know what is expected of them and are generally successful, 3. There is relatively little wasted time, confusion, or disruption, 4. The climate of the classroom is work-oriented but relaxed and pleasant. In a well-managed classroom, students know what to do and what is supposed to happen in the classroom. Effective teachers have a minimum of problems because they are ready. The teacher’s desk should be placed in a position where the teacher can easily monitor the classroom while at the desk.

The third characteristic is lesson mastery. An effective teacher knows how to design lessons to help students reach mastery. To increase student learning, you have to increase learning time. Have an assignment posted each morning. This ensures that there is no wasted time. Be very clear when giving directions, and constantly monitor to make sure everyone is on-task. Assignments should be given so that the students know what to do and why they are doing it. Use simple language when giving assignments. Keep your lessons short and sweet. You don’t want to cram too much information into one lesson. Objective should be stated before students begin a lesson or assignment. This tells the students what is to be accomplished. Bloom’s Taxonomy should be applied to every lesson. Always remember that grades don’t equal learning. Tests and assessments produce feedback about learning or lack of learning. Students should know that they are only competing with themselves. If a student masters the objective, give them enrichment material. If a student does not master the objective, give them remediation.

The effective teacher must be proficient in these three characteristics. Use proven research-based practices that thousands of other teachers use, and make your career a whole lot easier. Effective teaching is the way to go.