In 1995, I was taking a course called Training the Trainer at Rochester Institute of Technology (http://www.rit.edu/) I did not keep much of my homework assignments but this one was definitely a keeper. I have ran across this piece of paper several times and recreated the somewhat poetic, idealized view I had of teaching. I guess sometimes there is something you can always learn from the younger (or older) you. I still aspire to this ideal and hope that it has been true atleast half of the time and will certainly strive to make it my reality again. Click on the image if you want to read it without glasses;).For other takes on what makes a good teacher?:
UNICEF has collected opinions from around the world http://www.unicef.org/teachers/teacher/teacher.htm
Did you know that there is an official teacher appreciation day - May 4th and also entire week of May 3 through the 7th. A site dedicated to the theme even has a short history of the profession.
http://www.teacher-appreciation.info/Famous_Teachers/A_short_history.asp
CNN April 3, 2010 has posted a great discussion board with a list of top teacher inspired movies including some of my favorites like "To Sir with Love" (1967), "Mr. Holland's Opus" (1995), "Dangerous Minds" (1995), and left off some others like "Educating Rita" (1985), "The Miracle Worker"(1962). On the lighter side, there is "School of Rock" (2003).
With the whole homeschooling movement, there has been an overall emphasis on the role of parent as teacher. Whether or not one chooses to homeschool, parents who take an active interest in homework and re-learning alongside their children may find hidden rewards. I know I have with my own. There are a wealth of resources that can help make learning at home more fun in math (http://www.coolmath4kids.com/, http://www.mathplayground.com/, and http://www.mathcats.com/), in science(http://www.sciencewithme.com/, www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/wild and http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/) in the arts (http://www.apples4theteacher.com/, www.incredibleart.org and http://gardenofpraise.com/art).
"To learn and never be filled, is wisdom; to teach and never be weary, is love"
