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

TEDx Talks
2 Feb 201715:06
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe speaker, after collecting 26,000 responses on what makes a great teacher, shares insights from students across diverse backgrounds. They reveal the importance of teachers being open to learning, connecting with students on a personal level, and being present beyond the classroom. The talk highlights the need for educators to listen deeply to students, emphasizing the transformative potential of genuine engagement in education.

Takeaways
  • 🤔 The quest for understanding what makes a great teacher is ongoing, with 26,000 responses collected from diverse educational environments.
  • 🏫 Schools often avoid asking students about their perceptions due to fear of the insights they might reveal.
  • 🍎 The metaphor of 'a great teacher eats apples' suggests a teacher's willingness to engage and build a relationship with students.
  • 😌 The term 'chill' used by students implies that a great teacher remains calm and doesn't take themselves too seriously in the classroom.
  • 👨‍👧‍👦 Parents and teachers need to learn the language of teenagers to understand their responses and emotions better.
  • 🧠 Students desire to see their teachers as learners, not just as dispensers of knowledge, highlighting the importance of continuous learning.
  • 🌟 A great teacher isn't confined to the classroom; they make a lasting impact beyond the school environment.
  • 🏠 Recognizing the difference between students' lives inside and outside of school is crucial for understanding their struggles and needs.
  • 🎤 The enigmatic response 'a great teacher sings' may refer to the unexpected and joyful ways a teacher can engage with students.
  • 👂 Listening is a skill that is rarely taught in schools, yet it is vital for both personal and professional success.
  • 🌱 The potential for transformation in education lies in genuinely listening to students' perspectives on what makes a great teacher.
Q & A

  • What inspired the speaker to explore what makes a good teacher great?

    -The speaker was inspired by a persistent question: 'What makes a good teacher great?' This curiosity led him to collect responses from 26,000 students across various schools over 24 years.

  • Why does the speaker believe schools are afraid to ask students about what makes a good teacher great?

    -The speaker believes schools are afraid to ask this question because they fear knowing what kids think, partly because they assume kids won't take it seriously.

  • What symbolic meaning did the speaker discover behind students' comments about teachers eating apples?

    -The speaker discovered that students' comments about teachers eating apples symbolized their desire to see teachers as approachable and willing to receive gifts, reflecting a relationship built on trust and goodwill.

  • How did the speaker interpret the student's comment, 'A great teacher is chill'?

    -The speaker interpreted 'A great teacher is chill' as meaning that great teachers should remain calm in all situations and not take things too seriously, helping students feel safe and relaxed.

  • What lesson did the speaker learn from his interaction with Yvette regarding her unfinished homework?

    -The speaker learned the importance of understanding and empathizing with students' struggles outside of school. Yvette's unfinished homework was due to her challenging home environment, which the speaker initially overlooked.

  • What do students mean by saying, 'A great teacher isn't a teacher'?

    -Students mean that great teachers facilitate learning outside the traditional classroom setting, similar to how practical, hands-on experiences (like learning to ride a bike) create lasting understanding.

  • How did the speaker react to the student response, 'A great teacher sings,' and what did he learn from it?

    -The speaker initially found 'A great teacher sings' perplexing but realized it meant that great teachers should take risks, be humble, and engage students in unexpected and memorable ways.

  • Why does the speaker believe listening is an undervalued skill in education?

    -The speaker believes listening is undervalued because schools spend extensive time teaching reading and writing but offer virtually no formal instruction in listening, despite its critical importance in life and business.

  • What pattern did the speaker notice in students' responses about what makes a great teacher?

    -The speaker noticed that many students mentioned that great teachers love to learn, highlighting the importance of teachers demonstrating a passion for learning alongside their students.

  • How does the speaker propose schools could transform education?

    -The speaker proposes that schools could transform education by hiring teachers who deeply understand and listen to students, focusing on building relationships and fostering a love for learning together.

Outlines
00:00
🤔 The Quest for Great Teaching

The speaker embarks on a journey to understand what makes a great teacher, having collected 26,000 responses from various schools. Despite years of teaching, they remain intrigued by this question. The speaker shares anecdotes and insights, including the symbolic significance of apples in teacher-student relationships and the importance of being approachable and 'chill' to foster a sense of trust and understanding. They emphasize the need for educators to listen to students, as schools often operate out of fear and avoid seeking students' perspectives.

05:04
📚 Teachers as Fellow Learners

The speaker reflects on the common desire among students to see their teachers as learners, not just as dispensers of knowledge. They challenge the traditional role of teachers as content experts and propose a paradigm shift where teachers are also learners, sharing the journey of discovery with their students. The narrative includes a personal story about a student named Yvette, illustrating the importance of understanding students' lives outside of school and the impact it can have on their learning experience.

10:07
🎤 The Power of Listening and Humility in Education

The speaker discusses the enigmatic response 'A great teacher sings,' which they initially misunderstood. Through experimentation, they discovered that it symbolizes the humility, risk-taking, and the joy of teaching. The speaker calls for a reevaluation of the teacher's role, suggesting that schools should prioritize hiring teachers who understand and connect with students on a deeper level. They also highlight the irony that while listening is a crucial skill in life, it is seldom taught in schools, and conclude with a call to action to truly listen to students in order to transform education.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Great teacher
A 'great teacher' is defined by the speaker as someone who not only imparts knowledge but also forms a deep connection with students. In the video, the concept is explored through various anecdotes and student responses, emphasizing qualities like being receptive to gifts (apples), being calm ('chill'), and showing a love for learning. The theme revolves around the idea that a great teacher is one who students feel understands and connects with them on a personal level.
💡Fear
In the context of the video, 'fear' is mentioned as a reason why schools might not genuinely seek out students' opinions. The speaker suggests that this fear stems from a concern that students may not take the process seriously. This concept is pivotal as it sets the stage for the exploration of why it's essential to listen to students' perspectives in order to improve education.
💡Apples
The term 'apples' is used metaphorically in the script to symbolize the relationship between a teacher and students. The speaker initially dismisses the idea that 'great teachers eat apples' as trivial but later realizes that the act of eating an apple becomes a symbol of acceptance and trust. It illustrates the idea that sometimes, simple gestures can have profound meanings in student-teacher dynamics.
💡Language
The concept of 'language' in the video refers to the unique way students communicate their thoughts and feelings. The speaker points out that students have their own vernacular, which adults often fail to understand or interpret correctly. This keyword is crucial as it highlights the importance of listening and interpreting students' language to better connect with them.
💡Chill
'Chill' is a term used by students to describe a great teacher, as mentioned in the script. It implies a teacher who remains calm and composed in various situations, not taking things too seriously, and not getting overwhelmed. This keyword is significant as it reflects the students' desire for teachers who can maintain a balanced and relaxed approach to teaching.
💡Love to teach
The phrase 'love to teach' is a recurring response when students are asked about what makes a teacher great. It suggests that passion for teaching is a fundamental quality of a great educator. The video emphasizes that this love should be evident to students, inspiring them and showing them the joy of learning.
💡Love to learn
Closely related to 'love to teach,' the concept of 'love to learn' is highlighted as something students wish to see in their teachers. It signifies the importance of teachers being lifelong learners, modeling the value of continuous education and growth, which is a central theme in the video.
💡Content experts
'Content experts' refers to the traditional role of teachers as holders of knowledge. The speaker challenges this notion by suggesting that perhaps teachers should also be 'deep understanders of students' rather than just experts in their subject matter. This keyword is key to the video's message about redefining the role of teachers to include a deeper connection with students.
💡Life outside of school
The phrase 'life outside of school' is used to emphasize the importance of understanding students' lives beyond the classroom. The story of Yvette in the script illustrates how a teacher's awareness of a student's struggles outside school can lead to a more profound understanding and connection, which is a significant aspect of the video's narrative.
💡Listening
The concept of 'listening' is a central theme in the video, with the speaker arguing that it is a skill that is not sufficiently taught or valued in schools. The video suggests that true listening, not just hearing, is crucial for understanding students and transforming education. The lack of formal listening instruction is presented as a missed opportunity for deeper student-teacher connections.
💡Risks
'Risks' in the context of the video relate to the idea that great teachers are willing to step out of their comfort zones, take risks, and be vulnerable in front of their students. The example of the teacher singing in class demonstrates this concept, showing that taking risks can lead to stronger relationships and a more engaging learning environment.
Highlights

The speaker has collected 26,000 responses to the question 'What makes a good teacher great?' from various schools around the world.

After 24 years of teaching, the speaker is still perplexed by the question of what makes a great teacher.

The speaker discovered that schools are afraid to ask students about their opinions on education due to fear-based decision-making.

One profound quote suggests that 'A great teacher eats apples,' which symbolizes a relationship of trust and gift-giving.

Students use the term 'chill' to describe a great teacher who remains calm and doesn't take things too seriously.

The speaker learned that understanding the language of teenagers is crucial for effective communication.

Students desire to see their teachers as learners, not just as content experts.

The idea that 'A great teacher isn't a teacher' implies that learning should happen outside the traditional classroom setting.

The story of Yvette illustrates the importance of understanding students' lives outside of school and not making assumptions about their capabilities.

The concept of 'A great teacher sings' is revealed to mean making oneself humble and taking risks in front of students.

The speaker suggests that hiring teachers who are deep understanders of students could transform schools.

Students are not formally taught the essential skill of listening in schools, despite its importance in life and business.

The speaker emphasizes the need to listen to students to transform education and unlock their potential.

The transcript concludes with a call to action to ask students about what makes a good teacher great and to genuinely listen to their responses.

Transcripts

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