TEA teacher tips

I love to have my students create historical documentaries. I have found this method truly engages students in history. I also love having my students create historical plays that can be performed in front of a community. This technique fosters a love of history within a community, which makes my job easier when the students enter my classes.

- Ray Voley, Alaska TOY 2008

A well thought out question.

- Richard Ellenburg, Florida TOY 2008

At the top of my list I would have to say books, books, and more books! I love to incorporate literature into everything I teach. I cannot live without math manipulatives, my technology equipment and a good set of dry erase markers and chart paper.

- Emily Jennette, Georgia TOY 2008

Technology! I’m excited to be given this SMART Technology to further my ability to connect with my students. I use technology as a tool, not the content. But it inevitably grabs students attention, and motivates them to learn. My favorite tools include a SMART Board and TI-Graphing Calculators.

- Daniel Kuznik, Indiana TOY 2008

I love any “toy” that presents a discrepant event or grabs student attention and imagination - a globe with water bubbling up against gravity, perpetual motion machine, class pets like hissing cockroaches and giant black African millipedes - my students never know what they’ll find sitting out for them to explore!

- June Teisan, Michigan TOY 2008

The mind of a child is my favorite teaching tool. John Locke described the mind of a child as a tabula rasa or blank slate. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact the answers to all the world’s questions dwell within the minds of the students. The key role of the teacher is to probe the students’ minds frequently, carefully and sequentially to unlock the latent knowledge students unknowingly posses. This binds their experiences to the curriculum stimulating learning.

- John Kline, New Jersey TOY 2008

Demonstrations and hands-on laboratory investigations are my favorite tools to open the minds of people.

- George Goodfellow, Rhode Island TOY 2008

I love using community resources, such as local university professors and other community professionals. An aspect of a teacher’s humility should be the recognition that these individuals can enrich the learning environment beyond what even the best teacher can provide.

- Sharon Andrews, South Dakota TOY 2008

While so many tools of technology could be identified as tools for learning particularly in the area of technology, my favorite teaching tools are the bright minds of our students, the creativity of children, and students engaging their intellects though meaningful and engaging learning experiences.

- Eileen Johnson, Wyoming TOY 2008

Understand that your future requires you to take a vested interest in your education and you must take responsibility for your own learning.

- Pamela Harman, Alabama TOY 2008

Be proud of who you are, where you came from, and where you want to go.

- Robert Kelty, Arizona TOY 2008

I think that all students should understand that “learning” is not a “class thing”, it’s not a “school thing”, and it’s definitely just a “good student thing”. Learning is an everyday, improve your life, give yourself choices, and make good decisions thing.

- Ron Canos, Guam TOY 2008

Learning to give freely of your talents to help another human being will be one of the greatest things you will ever do.

- Ruth Meissen, Illinois TOY 2008

I think every student should learn the value of self-advocacy. If we are to guide a group of young people into the world then we must help them fight for what they need and want from their life.

- Andrew Mogle, Iowa TOY 2008

Students must learn to “own” their learning and take responsibility for determining the outcomes of their learning.

- April Todd, Maryland TOY 2008

Every lesson in school should enable students to learn problem-solving strategies, self-confidence, knowledge and skills to reach their potential and highest quality of life.

- Cheryl Beene, Mississippi TOY 2008

You will never be able to know everything. Knowing where to look for the answers to each question is more important.

- Eric Langhorst, Missouri TOY 2008

That they are intelligent, no matter what their test scores say. Each student has a unique intelligence that will serve them well in life.

- Michael Geisen, Oregon TOY 2008

The value of hard-work. Anything in life worth having requires time and energy - a lot of it. Whether it be relationships or educational degrees, I hope students would see that what they get out of life is often directly proportional to the amount of hard-work and energy they invest in it.

- Eric Kincaid, West Virginia TOY 2008

The one lesson I think all children should learn is how to truly listen to others. I tell my students that attentive listening is a skill that will take them far in life - in school, their career, friendships, or other relationships.

- Beth Oswald, Wisconsin TOY 2008