What makes a good teacher great? | Azul Terronez | TEDxSantoDomingo

Summary

The speaker, after collecting 26,000 responses on what makes a great teacher, reflects on the insights gained from students across diverse backgrounds. They share anecdotes that reveal the importance of understanding student perspectives, such as the symbolic significance of apples in teacher-student relationships, the need for teachers to be approachable and calm, and the desire for teachers to show a love for learning. The talk emphasizes the transformative potential of truly listening to students, suggesting that schools could change dramatically by valuing and teaching the skill of listening.

Takeaways

• 🍎 Students appreciate teachers who are open to receiving their gifts, symbolized by the apple.
• 😎 'A great teacher is chill' means students value teachers who stay calm and don't take things too seriously.
• 🧑‍🏫 Students want teachers who love to learn, not just teach, to inspire them.
• 🚴‍♂️ Learning is more effective when it's experiential, like learning to ride a bike, rather than just theoretical.
• 👂 Listening to students deeply can reveal their true struggles and needs, which may not be immediately apparent.
• 🎤 'A great teacher sings' symbolizes teachers who take risks and make learning fun, engaging students in creative ways.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Great teachers understand that students have lives outside of school and take that into consideration.
• 🛠 Teachers should be deep understanders of students, not just content experts, to truly transform education.
• 📖 Schools don't teach listening skills, yet it's crucial for both personal and professional success.
• 💡 Asking students what makes a teacher great and truly listening to their responses can lead to transformative changes in education.

Q & A

What question is the speaker obsessed with, and why is it significant?

The speaker is obsessed with the question, 'What makes a good teacher great?' This question is significant because it explores the qualities that differentiate an ordinary teacher from an exceptional one, based on feedback from thousands of students across different schools.

How did the speaker collect responses to their question, and what was the scale of the research?

The speaker collected 26,000 responses to the question from students at eight different schools, ranging from the poorest schools in Los Angeles to elite private schools abroad. This wide range of responses provided diverse insights into what students value in a great teacher.

What does the statement 'A great teacher eats apples' symbolize according to the speaker?

The statement 'A great teacher eats apples' symbolizes the relationship between students and teachers. It represents students’ desire to connect with their teachers on a personal level, where the apple becomes a symbol of trust and the willingness of a teacher to receive a gift from a student.

What do students mean when they say 'A great teacher is chill'?

When students say 'A great teacher is chill,' they mean that a great teacher remains calm in all situations, doesn't take things too seriously, and handles challenges without becoming overwhelmed.

Why does the speaker believe that schools are afraid to ask students for their opinions?

The speaker believes that schools are afraid to ask students for their opinions because they fear the answers. Schools might not take students' input seriously and worry that the feedback could be challenging or reflect poorly on their teaching methods.

What did the speaker learn from the student named Yvette, and how did it change their perspective?

The speaker learned from Yvette that students' lives outside of school can significantly impact their performance in school. Yvette's struggles with completing homework due to a lack of electricity at home made the speaker realize the importance of understanding students' personal challenges and not making assumptions about their capabilities.

What does the phrase 'A great teacher isn't a teacher' mean according to the speaker?

The phrase 'A great teacher isn't a teacher' means that great teachers often teach important life lessons outside of the traditional classroom setting. The speaker uses the example of learning to ride a bike from their mother to illustrate how impactful learning experiences can occur through hands-on, real-world activities rather than structured classroom instruction.

How does the speaker interpret the statement 'A great teacher sings'?

The speaker interprets the statement 'A great teacher sings' as a metaphor for a teacher's willingness to take risks, be vulnerable, and engage with students in a way that is authentic and personal. When the speaker sang the daily agenda to the class, it demonstrated that teachers should be willing to step out of their comfort zones to connect with students.

What pattern did the speaker notice when asking students what makes a good teacher great?

The speaker noticed that many students believe a great teacher not only loves to teach but also loves to learn. This indicates that students value teachers who are continuously learning alongside them and are not just content experts.

What is the speaker’s overall message about the importance of listening in education?

The speaker's overall message is that listening is a critical but often overlooked skill in education. By truly listening to students and understanding their perspectives, teachers can become more effective and create a more supportive and engaging learning environment. The speaker emphasizes that schools need to focus more on teaching and practicing listening skills.