Henry Adams

A teacher affects eternity:

he can never tell where his

influence stops.

Marcus Tullius Cicero

What nobler employment, or more valuable to

the state,than that of the man

who instructs the rising generation.

Albert Einstein

It is the supreme art of the teacher

to awakenjoy in creative

expression and knowledge.

Anatole France

Nine-tenths of education is

encouragement.

Kahlil Gibran

“The wise teacher does not ask you to enter the house of his wisdom. He

leads you to the threshold of your

own mind.”

Peter Kline

“Emblazon these words on your

mind … learning is more effective

when it’s fun.”

Professor John HattieA teacher’s job is not to

make work easy. It is to make it difficult. If

you are not challenged, you do

not make mistakes. If you do not make

mistakes, feedback is useless.

Darwin

In the long history of humankind (and animalkind too)

those who learned to collaborate and

improvise most effectively have

prevailed.

Before you start Get set lists Look on iSAMS – photos

with set lists Fill in marks book IEPs (mark with a dot?) If you have your own room

decorate it, keep it tidy, personalise it, talk to the cleaners after school

The first few weeks Note key dates in

diary – report deadlines etc. Plan work accordingly.

Of the utmost importance … NAMES Learn them and use

them Ask colleagues how to

pronounce unfamiliar names

The classroom Which is the right layout? If in doubt keep it

traditional (alphabetical?) Be prepared to separate

desks and individuals – avoid long lines of desks at back of class

If you separate, have the will to ensure they stay this way until you are happy

Discipline Organisation Enthusiasm Firm tone of voice Steady eye contact Rules and routines Consistency Record keeping HoD and Tutor first

Discipline (2) Don’t talk over noise Pitch Different times of day Look at how all boys

are responding – back right!

Variety and pace Learning styles Stretch and challenge

Lessons at MCS Pace Challenge Encourage High expectations Intelligent and

inquisitive boys – they respect teachers’ intellects

Lessons at MCS Vary the “architecture” –

not always starter, main activity, plenary

Accelerated learning Clear instructions Maximise “beginnings and

endings” Review at end of lesson Set homework in good

time Orderly end to lesson Clean board

How pupils learn …

Lesson planning Know what already

exists! Plan around questions What the boys will

LEARN Coverage – the enemy

of learning?

Written work Be firm re sloppy or

unfinished work Record keeping Take care before an

accusation – some research may be necessary

Marking Once per week Return promptly Thoroughly but not

obsessively Peer and self

assessment

Marking Fair Notice boys’ merits Praise what is good Respond warmly to their

best efforts Next steps Close the gap > improve Mark to “success criteria?”

Don’t … Tell a boy that “other staff have warned you

about him” – boys hate to be prejudged Tell a whole class that you think they’re the

worst you teach/other teachers find them difficult

Compare a boy with his brother Mock a boy’s name or character or

appearance – of course

Don’t … Talk about a boy – or a class – “behind

their back” to another pupil or class Undermine colleagues or the school in

lessons – if you feel something or someone is wrong go through the right channels

“Row by note/e-mail” with colleagues Lay hands on a pupil inappropriately

Don’t … Get left behind in a room on your own with

a pupil whom you consider to be in any way unpredictable or untrustworthy

The parents Critical letters Mostly very supportive Senior colleagues Be attentive and

conciliatory But don’t give way to

wrong demands