The chapter opens with an example from a psychology study about the effect of negative social sterotypes have on students. I know from personal experience the debilitating effect of anxiety and stress and found fascinating that researchers discovered "if they can keep people from thinking that someone else might be viewing them through the lens of a negative stereotype, they can significantly change what those people accomplished." (Bain, p. 70)
As I was reading, I extrapolated this idea out beyond educational settings and pondered how this plays out in regular social situations (e.g. parenting, with friends, family, etc.) I am observing as I read and study about education and what the best teachers do that the best teachers understand people, are gracious, assume the best of others and strive to encourage others on their journey. Isn't that what the best friends, parents, etc. do?
For instance.... the best teachers: "look for and appreciate the individual value of each student." (p. 72); have 'great faith in the students' ability to achieve," and the key related point is their trust was realistic. (p. 75)
Those sound like qualities we look for in friends, the approach we seek to take with our children and so on. Being a best teacher is directly related to who we are as people and how we treat others.
I agree with you. I teach lower skilled post secondary students and sometimes just a little praise and confidence in their ability goes miles in affecting their performance.
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