A Good Teacher

A good teacher knows where her students are developmentally and cognitively with the content she/he is teaching because the students need to build upon their existing frameworks. A good teacher shares the instructional role with his/her students because he/she wants students to know how to actively participate in a democracy. A good teacher cares for her/his students well-being emotionally and physically so that they feel secure and valued in the learning environment. A good teacher challenges her students to think critically and engage in current event discussions because she wants them to see the importance and relevance of the material to the real world. She wants them to have successful futures and be able to engage in life. A good teacher uses peer collaboration and discussion to encourage students to learn from each other. This builds connectivity and enhances learning because students speak the same developmental language She wants them to respect one another's opinions and beliefs. A good teacher models honesty and integrity.

If preparing students to live in a democracy is a component of a teacher's pedagogy then the teacher will share the instructional role with his and her students. The teacher will stress peer to peer instruction and create opportunities for students to have an equitable voice in the classroom. Jerrid Krusse discusses the importance of social, collaborative, student centered learning. This sharing not only enhances learning it also gives students an opportunity to practice articulating their views. It is important for students to have a voice so that they can maintain their freedom in the face of oppression. Students can learn through modeling, and by encouraging democracy in the classroom students will learn to think critically and be prepared to participate in a democratic society. Judith Yero maintains that students are directly impacted by their teacher and the classroom environment.