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"If we desire a kinder nation, seeing it through the eyes of children is an eminently sensible endeavor: A city that is pro-child, for example, is also a more humane place for adults." Richard Louv in Children's Future

Characteristics of Good Teachers

Sylvia Farnham-Diggory identifies the following "common denominators of good teachers" in her book Cognitive Processes in Education (New York: Harper and Row, 1972). Thirty years later, how do her standards apply?

She observes that good teachers have available, well-directed energy to...

* notice and attend promptly to the individual needs of children
* generate a special, personal task for a child
* be pleasant and cooperative despite numerous demands from the children
* direct aides and volunteers cheerfully and sufficiently
* plan and replan ways of keeping the children busy and independent
* keep track of the effectiveness of lessons and other kinds of activities
* keep notes and written guides
* explain details of the program to parents and administrators
* respond warmly and sensitively to children

For ideas on supervising, motivating, and training your teachers, check out the Exchange publication, Staff Challenges at

http://mail.ccie.com/go/eed/0440

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