I'm a MEAN Teacher, Are You?

Are you a Mean Teacher?

By Laura M Staunton, New Jersey and Barb Erickson, Michigan


A MEAN teacher insists that each student do the best s/he is capable of doing.

A MEAN teacher insists that students hand in their assignments on time and takes off points for late assignments.

A MEAN teacher does not accept incomplete assignments.

A MEAN teacher requires each student to think carefully and to make her/his own decisions.

A MEAN teacher holds each student responsible for her/his own behavior.

A MEAN teacher makes students keep the classroom, themselves, and their belongings neat and clean.

A MEAN teacher does not allow free time in class until all class-work is done.

A MEAN teacher gives homework regularly, sometimes even on weekends.

A MEAN teacher calls on students who don't raise their hands to answer questions.

A MEAN teacher requires all students to treat each other with respect.

A MEAN teacher makes life miserable for students by insisting that they always tell the truth.

A MEAN teacher produces students who are respectful, responsible, and successful.


THE WORLD NEEDS MORE MEAN* TEACHERS!

*(MEAN = Making Excellence A Necessity)

Motivating Students? It's All About Them!

Published in Momentum magazine from the Catholic Association,  here's the article I co-wrote with Abbigail Armstrong.  It includes several quick-and-easy classroom activities you can use immediately!

Tips for Creating a Student-Centric Classroom by Heather Wolpert-Gawron

Once a week, I'm going to link to some of my favorite authors' blogs.  Heather has a great one on student-centric classrooms, which includes my perspective on student arrangement at the end.  Enjoy!

Do we really believe this?

What's your most positive student experience?

Think of all your days or years of teaching/leading in schools.  What experience stands out as one of the most positive?  Don't forget....you do make a difference. 

Spring Break?

Are you on spring break this week?  Both my kids are out, and I'm trying to figure out how there is more to do this week than when they were in school!  If you are out of school, I hope you find the time to do at least one thing you totally enjoy!

Do you lead an abundant life?

I was very close to my grandmother, who died at age 80 in 1990.  Last weekend, I was going through some old materials and found this typed poem/essay called The Abundant Life.  There is no source, and I have investigated the source with no results, so if you know who wrote this, please let me know (also, due to the date, please know that the term man applies to everyone).  They may not all apply to you, but I found them meaningful.  I also wondered how we have come so far that our students so often do not reflect this.  I apologize for not sounding hopeful with that sentence....I am very hopeful that the power of one teacher will continue to influence one or more students positively.  I am also sure that if you are reading this, you have made a positive impact.  Have a good weekend.

The Abundant Life

A man is educated:

When he can associate with scholars and yet retain the simple faith;

When he learns to appreciate the small kindnesses by others;

When he has learned to say the appropriate thing to other people;

When he can associate with the wealthy and yet retain the common touch;

When he can accept unkindnesses of others without becoming angry, 

     realizing they are caused by 

     inadequacies, misfortunes, or misunderstandings;

When honor and fame bring tears of appreciation and humility to his eyes, 

     rather than haughtiness to his countenance;

When he can most seriously and understandingly explain the simplest of 

     phenomena;

When he can associate with evil companions and not lose his virtue;

When he is at home both in the world of ideas and the world of 

     practical activities;

When he realizes that other people are to be loved and appreciated as 

     ends within themselves and not as means to his own ends;

When he becomes sensitive to the needs of others;

When he can give all of himself to others, and only desire their eternal love.

When a man reaches this point, he is not only educated, 

     but he has found the abundant life.