A Guide for Making the Most of Your Teaching, Getting the Most from Your Students

1. What teacher had the greatest effect on you?

a. Smiling, caring, giving, supportive - positive influence
b. Sour, sad, mean, angry, abusive, demeaning - negative influence

2. Know your subject matter.

a. Some teachers think the more they know about their subject, the better they can teach--equating quality of teaching with amount of knowledge.
b. The truth is, the best teachers are constantly teaching values, e.g., the importance of a good education. The best students succeed in spite of the teacher--the students at the bottom need the most help, they need you.

3. Don't equate aptitude with potential for success.

a. 15% APTITUDE
b. 85% ATTITUDE

Satisfied Customers. Jason and Joe listen to the message.

4. Expect a lot from students based on their own ability, not preconceived biases, e.g., ethnic, racial, social stratification. Students live up to teachers' expectations. Bright students perform well. "Wise guys," whom little is expected from, perform poorly. Demand the best the individual is capable of--grade accordingly. Create excitement. If they're excited to come to class, their attendance will improve and their attention will improve.

5. What you give to students, fellow teachers, administration, friends, and family is what you get in return.

a. Smile, sell yourself and your subject.
b. Give compliments; avoid insults.
c. Focus on a student's strengths.

6. Never publicly shame for poor performance--it breaks character.

Teachers want to build character.
"SHAME" is destructive. "COMPLIMENTS" are constructive.

7. Commit to always teaching values--THE GOLDEN RULE!

• Many students don't know the golden rule.
• Manners--common courtesy (Please, thank you, excuse me).
• Show respect, get respect. SENSITIVITY.
• (LUCIER STORY) Sometimes payback, gratification takes years.

8. Are you asking the right questions?

Listen to students...LISTEN...LISTEN...LISTEN...LISTEN...

9. Before learning takes place, knowledge is transferred--wisdom is shared--an individual must be receptive (feeling good about oneself).

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR CLASSROOM!

READ SOME COMMENTS FROM TEACHERS 
WHO HAVE ATTENDED MARK'S SEMINARS