The Realities of Teaching

Chapter 1EDTE 101

We’ve talked about . . .

• Some of the controversies swirling around education in the U.S.

• Who will you teach? (Diverse learners)• Why you want to teach and why schools

matter• Now let’s consider some of the tough realities

of teaching.

Write down three realities of teaching.

1. Unpredictable Outcomes

• What do you think you can count on as a teacher?

• True/False – A good teacher who works hard enough can cause academic achievement in any student.

2. Difficulty of Assessing Student Learning

• How can you know what students have learned?

3. Limited Influence on Student Behavior

• What are the limits of a teacher’s influence on student behavior?

4. Teachers’ Attitudes/Examples are Contagious

• In what ways can a teacher’s attitude influence students for better or for worse?

5. Teaching happens in the midst of an array of unpredictable moments

• True/False. While a teacher can’t necessarily guarantee learning outcomes, he/she can predictably plan learning experiences.

6. The Uniqueness of Teaching

• Is is possible to describe what “good teaching” is?

Six Realities about Teaching

1. Unpredictable outcomes2. Difficult to assess student learning3. Limited influence on student behavior4. Teachers’ attitudes and examples are

influential5. Any given moment in a class is complicated

and subject to change6. The total experience of teaching is unique to

the individual

Think about it

• Which of these realities of teaching intimidate you?

• Which of these realities excite you?