Metamorphosis

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If you reflect on your high school experience, could you identify one teacher that had a lasting impact on your life? What quality did that teacher have that set them apart from the other teachers? During my high school experience there was that one sparkly-eyed math teacher who used humor to engage students. The bespectacled world cultures teacher acted out Australopithecus, breathing life into ancient history and making it relevant. Critical analysis of Kafka’s Metamorphosis and other allegorical stories with the offbeat, wild haired English teacher introduced divergent thinking. Unfortunately not all of my teachers were memorable. Some teachers were downright awful, such as the scowl faced math teacher who discouraged questions by berating students, creating an insecure environment. By contrast, these teachers either did not seem to care about the students or the content, or they lacked the desire …show more content…

Each of the effective teachers described above created an emotionally safe environment in their classrooms and made learning meaningful and relevant to their students. When these types of connections are established students feel that the teachers care not only about their learning, but care for and accept them as individuals. (Blum 2005; Myrick, 1986) Extensive research about connectedness has shown that students will perform better when they are known by at least one adult in the building. (Sizer, 1992; Cushman, 1990) Connectedness has been shown to improve student engagement, student academic achievement, and reduce negative behaviors such as absenteeism. (Klem 271) To foster these connections, teacher should be familiar with the student and be able to talk to the student about academic issues, additionally, they should be comfortable discussing emotional and social issues. (Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development, 1989,p37; Ayers,

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