Teacher

Back To Snippet


Back To SITEMAP

Life � The Teacher

Author: Clyde Dennis

You�ve probably heard the phrase "repetition is the mother of learning" well apparently it�s also the mother of teaching. Often it seems, Life � The Teacher uses the tool of repetition to imprint into our brains the lessons it�s needing to impart to us. At least this has been my experience.

It has become clear to me that life gives the same tests over, and over and over again until we demonstrate that we�ve learned the lesson by passing the test. This teacher seems more than happy to show us again and again why it may be a bad idea to take a particular action, or choose one direction over another. The good news here is that it works both ways. Like any good teacher choose properly and life smiles. Choose improperly and life corrects.

Sometimes I wish and think that it would be simpler and easier if the teacher would just make all of my decisions for me and let me know exactly what I�m supposed to do, but of course that�s not the way it works. In this teacher role life is just an administrator, not an advisor or counselor. Life is there to administer and grade the tests.

Once you pass the test however, Life records your grade and moves on to the next lesson. But don�t completely discard the lesson you�ve just learned as over because it�s not. You may not see or have to deal with this particular thing again for quite some time but you can bet at some point down the road you will see it again. The lessons and tests we�ve passed usually return in the form of pop quiz�s. Out of the blue one day an opportunity to display this lesson learned will pop up and you�ll have to conquer it all over again. If you fail or don�t score high enough on this little pop quiz you�ll have to deal with it more and more often until you pass the test again. Like starting over with it. The trick is to score high marks on the lessons because the higher the score the less often life throws it at you. Show a mastery of it, and it is presented as a test with much less frequency.

So the question: What are you tired of having to deal with day in and day out? What lesson do you feel life is beating you up with?

Want to get rid of it? Show life (and yourself) that you get it. Do whatever you need to do to display that you�ve mastered this particular lesson. Life will reciprocate by giving you a break from it. But remember, Life is smart. You can�t trick it. The higher degree to which you display a mastery of the lesson, the less frequently life will re-present it to you.

Anyway, that�s my take. What�s yours?

Live some. Love some. Learn some. Everyday.

C...

Clyde Dennis, a.k.a. "Mr. How-To" has been writing and publishing Articles and Newsletters online since 1999. Clyde's company EASYHow-To Publications provides "How-To" information on How-To do, be or have just about anything one can imagine. For more information visit http://www.EASYHow-To.com. Email correspondence for Clyde should be sent to: cdennis@easyhow-to.com

...

Teacher Tips Using Worksheets with ADHD Students
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children so here are your teacher tips for the week brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchoolcom You can read over 500 classroom inter

Teacher Tips Improving Social Skills in ADHD Students
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children so here are your teacher tips for the week brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchoolcom This is a sampling of over 500 classr

Teacher Tips Helping ADHD Students to Perform Better in Your Classroom
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children so here are your teacher tips for the week brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchoolcom This is a sampling of over 500 classr

Teacher

Back To Snippet


Back To SITEMAP

Inspiring Values of Unforgettable Teachers

Author: Steve Brunkhorst

All of us recall special teachers � people who not only taught us but inspired us in ways that changed our lives. William Arthur Ward once said, "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." Here are five life-changing values inspired by unforgettable teachers.

The Teachers I Will Always Remember...

... Taught the Value of Learning and Knowledge

They were enthusiastic about their subject. However, they gave more than knowledge. They showed how learning could enhance creativity, spark interests, and uncover talents. They instilled in students a curiosity to learn and an undying passion to keep learning.

... Taught the Value of Respect

They treated others with honor. They explained how kind words, and sometimes silence, could prevent hurtful confrontations and turn enemies into friends. They taught the value of respect for the community as well as the individual.

... Taught the Value of Integrity

They demonstrated empathy for those who were ill or suffering from personal loss. They would go the extra mile to offer support. Their ethics inspired students to live with courage and approach life with honesty, dignity, and self-worth.

... Taught the Value of Responsibility

They taught that personal actions have consequences and that the individual must be accountable for his or her choices. They emphasized that when people think others are to blame for problems, that very thought is the real problem. They taught that each student was ultimately responsible for his or her learning and its impact on their future.

... Taught the Value of Perseverance

They taught that education continues until our last breath. They told stories about the hard times they had faced, and how God had often turned difficulties into blessings. They refused to let students quit after repeated failures. They demonstrated that "Faith is the assurance of things not yet seen."

Not all of these teachers taught in formal classrooms. Nor did they all have a formal education. Some of them are still teaching, and the education they provide is priceless.

I believe that the greatest gifts we can give our children are the same kind of values these teachers demonstrate. Then our children can also become unforgettable teachers, sharing values that will inspire happiness and faith for future generations.

Copyright 2005 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com

...

Tips for the Classroom Teachers with ADHD Students
Thank you for all that you do in the classroom It is hard enough being a classroom teacher today but when you add to the difficulties two or three children with either Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or minor head injuries from FAS managing a classroom can be a real challenge

Teacher Tips Improving Consistency of ADHD Students Performance
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children so here are your teacher tips for the week brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchoolcom This is a sampling of over 500 classr

Mindfulness and Education Teachers Must Make It Fun
As a mindfulness trainer Im a big fan of promoting greater mindfulness in the classroom However its interesting to me that those who seem to be the most thoughtful and passionate proponents of mindfulness in education are the ones most likely to be trapped by their limited thinking No

Teacher

Back To Snippet


Back To SITEMAP

Identifying Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the Classroom: Eight Things Teachers Should

Author: Douglas Cowan, Psy.D.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the phrase that is used to describe children who have significant problems with high levels of distractibility or inattention, impulsiveness, and often with excessive motor activity levels. There may be deficits in attention and impulse control without hyperactivity being present. In fact, recent studies indicate that as many as 40% of the ADD kids may not be hyperactive.

Research shows that there are several things happening in the brain of the ADHD child which causes the disorder. The main problem is that certain parts of the Central Nervous System are under-stimulated, while others may be over-stimulated. In some hyperactive kids there is also an uneven flow of blood in the brain, with some parts of the brain getting too much blood flow, and other centers not getting as much. Certain medications, or other forms of treatment can be used to address these problems.

Often the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child has special educational needs, though not always. Most Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder kids can be successful in the regular classroom with some help. Teachers can find over 500 classroom interventions to help children be successful in school at http://www.ADDinSchool.com.

As a teacher ask yourself these questions:

1. Can the child pay attention in class?

Some ADHD kids can pay attention for a while, but typically can't sustain it, unless they are really interested in the topic. Other ADHD kids cannot pay attention to just one thing at a time, such as not being able to pay attention to just you when you are trying to teach them something. There are many different aspects to "attention," and the ADHD child would have a deficit in at least one aspect of it.

2. Is the child impulsive? Does he call out in class? Does he bother other kids with his impulsivity?

These kids often cannot stop and think before they act, and they rarely think of the consequences of their actions first. Impulsivity tends to hurt peer relationships, especially in junior high school years.

3. Does he have trouble staying in his seat when he's supposed to? How is he on the playground? Can he wait in line, or does he run ahead of the rest of the class? Does he get in fights often?

4. Can he wait?

Emotionally, these children often cannot delay gratification.

5. Is he calm?

They are constantly looking for clues as to how they are doing. They may display a wide range of moods, which are often on the extremes: they act too sad, too angry, too excited, too whatever.

6. Is the child working at grade level? Is he working at his potential? Does he/she stay on task well? Does he fidget a lot? Does he have poor handwriting?

Most ADHD kids have trouble staying on task, staying seated, and many have terrible handwriting.

7. Does he have difficulty with rhythm? Or the use of his time? Does he lack awareness about "personal space" and what is appropriate regarding touching others? Does he seem unable to read facial expressions and know their meanings?

Many children with ADHD also have Sensory Integration Dysfunctions (as many as 10% to 20% of all children might have some degree of Sensory Integration Dysfunction). SID is simply the ineffective processing of information received through the senses. As a result these children have problems with learning, development, and behavior.

8. Does he seem to be immature developmentally, educationally, or socially?

It has been suggested by research that children and teens with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may lag 20% to 40% behind children without ADHD developmentally. In other words, a ten year old with ADHD may behave, or learn, as you would expect a seven year old to behave or learn. A fifteen year old with ADHD may behave, or learn, as you would expect a ten year old to behave, or learn.

There is a lot to learn about ADHD. Both teachers and parents can learn more by visiting the ADHD Information Library's family of web sites, beginning withADDinSchool.com for hundreds of classroom interventions to help our children succeed in school.

Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.

...

Teacher Tips Your Room SetUp and ADHD Students
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children so here are your teacher tips for the week brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchoolcom You can read over 500 classroom inter

Teacher Tips Helping ADHD Students to Perform Better in Your Classroom
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children so here are your teacher tips for the week brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchoolcom This is a sampling of over 500 classr

Tips for High School Teachers with ADHD Students Organizing Your Students
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children so here are your teacher tips for the week brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchoolcom This is a sampling of over 500 classr