Become the Teacher's Teacher
How to Get the Most Out of Students

The rising dropout rate, the incessant, extensive absentee list, the rising pregnancy rates and general malaise have all made a home in our schools. The effects of these trends are reflected in school performance and attitude, which carries over in the student job market. Both part-time, during school years, and subsequent post high school employment markets are impacted. Furthermore, the rising attrition rate on college campuses has direct cause and effect. Students who are going on to post secondary schooling are not realizing their long-term goals in regard to career aspirations due primarily to a lack of focus. Tardiness, absenteeism, irresponsibility and generally low performance standards are the frequent, ever-increasing lament of teachers and employers. Settling for less or minimal efforts appear to be the student norm in both school and job performance. The cost, to both the individual student/worker and to society in general, has become greater and more devastating as this trend grows.

Teacher "burnout," lack of respect for teachers by students and society in general, lack of respect of students by teachers, and classroom diversity, cultural as well as socioeconomic, are all factors that contribute to an overall breakdown in the system. Above and beyond all others, teachers' primary focus is helping, sharing, building character and nurturing self-confidence. 

"Friends don't laugh at friends, they laugh with friends."

Seminar Focus

Becoming the teacher's teacher--How to get the most out of students: learning to listen; realizing that the best way for knowledge to be transferred, and learning to take place, people must feel good about themselves; dealing with problems of frustration and low self-esteem on both the students' and teachers' part. 

Teacher are saluted for being "The Chosen Ones," those who give up themselves to help others grow. A bold statement is made to the faculty: "If you are not happy with yourself, and the students, and you don't like teaching, it may be time to perform a self-assessment to determine if you are in the right profession."

These sessions last one and a half to two and a half hours and leave the faculty re-energized and feeling good about themselves. Ultimately, the seminar's goal is to help the faculty to achieve their personal best. 

Outline of Presentation

• A teacher's attitude towards students affects both students and teachers' productivity.
• A teacher's expectations correlate directly to students' performance.
• Subject matter knowledge has no correlation to teaching skills.
• Potential for success in the classroom can be broken down to 15% aptitude and 85% attitude.
• Teachers need to fine-tune their listening skills.
• Values need to be taught in the classroom: honesty, integrity, respect, and common courtesy (The Golden Rule). What happened to please, thank you, excuse me, Sir, Madam, etc.?
• Taking control of your classroom.
• Truly caring about students' overall success.
• Diversity--cultural, ethnic, racial, and religious

READ MORE ABOUT MARK'S TEACHER IN-SERVICE PROGRAM