What happens if your child isn’t liking school?

So often now I am hearing some sad stories of unhappy school children. What is happening?

Is it the pressure on the teacher to achieve results and the impact of this on her stress levels and hence her patience in the classroom? Is it the lack of parental support for education? Is it the lack of programming of educational bodies to create success? What do you think the reason that children don’t like school?

I believe that the most important aspect of education is the relationship between the teacher and the student. This relationship doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time and it requires nurturing along the way. If a student doesn’t feel that he is valued, he will not be motivated to learn as well as what he could.

A teacher must be able to deliver engaging lessons where students feel excited about learning. To do this, the teacher must have passion for the subjects that she is teaching. If the teacher’s knowledge in any subject is limited her passion will also be limited. An engaging teacher continues to learn all of her life.

The following traits that make a good teacher, I believe, are the secondary indicators of a great teacher. If the first traits that I have mentioned are non-existent, learning will be compromised.

Clear Objectives for Lessons

Clear objectives make certain that the goal of the teaching is achieved. Each and every child in the class should be able to understand and move forward with their learning.
Effective Discipline Skills

A great teacher has effective discipline skills and can promote positive behaviours. Some children experience the fallout of poor discipline measures. They can be bullied, unable to learn because of the noise, afraid of the undisciplined members of the class and devalued due to inappropriate remarks by other students. This is only a small list of consequences of poor discipline skills in a classroom. Poor discipline is usually accompanied by poor classroom management where lessons are not planned and children suffer boredom and disengagement.

Good Communication with Parents

A good teacher develops positive communication with parents. She makes sure that the parents are kept up to date with all information related to their children and his class.

High Expectations

High expectations creates a self- motivated learner. Online I teach a young boy who loves reading about dinosaurs. Originally, he had a teacher who was very unkind to him and he wasn’t progressing as he should. This bright boy was hiding under desks and totally disinterested in learning. Today, after intensive tutoring his parents have been able to re-engage their son in learning. He is a shining star because his parents backed him and made certain that he attended all tutoring sessions. His scores have risen and now he will achieve his potential.

Knowledge of Subject Matter

This may seem obvious, but is sometimes overlooked. A great teacher has incredible knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject matter she is teaching. She is prepared to answer questions and keep the material interesting for the students.

What do you think makes a great teacher? Please congratulate a teacher that you respect and tell us why you hold this teacher in such high esteem. Comment in the box below.

Ann Foster tutors children who have difficulties in reading, writing and spelling.

Contact Ann on 0414340883 or email letterboxdelivers@hotmail.com

Website: www.letterboxlearntoread.com

Ann holds the following qualifications:

Diploma of Teaching

Bachelor of Educational Studies

Master of Education ( Special Needs)

Master of Education (Counselling & Guidance)