What’s the best approach to teaching children?
Part 4
In the last 3 entries we spoke about different approaches. All have their merits, as well as their own specific weaknesses. In this article we will address the Teacher themselves.
Just as there are many different personalities of people, there are just as many personalities of teacher teaching people. And to further complicate things, it’s very common for teachers to have to take on different personality roles when they find it necessary to motivate the student. Here are a few of the “teacher personalities” I’ve come across, as well as had to channel depending on the situation:
The “Drill Sargent”:
Sometimes you need a tough guy in order to motivate the student.
The “Best friend”:
An understanding and relatable guy, who shows interests in the students wants and needs
The “Black Belt”:
An all knowing Yoda figure, any question can be answered with gusto.
The “Technique Guru”:
Open to all manner of ideas, yet a slave to none.
The “Football Coach”:
The ultimate motivator. Has the ability to push a student PAST the goals they thought were attainable.
There are many more, I think, but these are the ones that pop into my head when I envision teachers I’ve known, studied with, and worked for. I will say that while it would be unfair to catagorize teachers into archetypes, for the most part, a good teacher can take on one or more of these roles when deemed necessary.
