What makes a teacher great?
Well, I think I was a great teacher, not the best by far but great in a way. One of the things I learned was that kids come with their own baggage. Every day needs to be a new day, unless it doesn’t. Kids want to learn but will shut down if they feel like they are only going to fail, unless of course, they are of the higher intelligence where everything needs to be a challenge. Behaviors stem from frustration….frustration about life, school, friends, self….Kids don’t know how to handle all of the feelings thrown at them and although there is no room to coddle, there is plenty of room for empathy and a good ear.
One of the things I always stuck to was that every student can learn something!
Whether it is something simple for a challenged learner or something more complex for a confident learner, everyone has something to learn. When I made mistakes I never covered them up with excuses, I admitted that I didn’t know everything.
So, was I great? Well, two of my most challenging students are doing very well now, about seven years later. These two were noted as “under-achievers, class-clowns, putting in no effort…” I never went for that and I am proud to say that both students graduated high school when they thought they never would.
Stine Writing 
Hmm. There is an issue. I’ll see if I can get it fixed.
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I think a good teacher is someone who can inspire students to recognise their unique abilities — through compassion and empathy.
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definitely!
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Caring about the individual will always make a teacher great!
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May you inspire thousands….
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I am not a teacher per se anymore but thank you!
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Hi please vit my blog and share your precious thoughts….
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I tried to go to your site but it said that it was deleted.
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You perhaps visited my old blog. I have a new blog channel and a self-hosted website indiaunveiled.blog
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I did find it, strange though because it looks like its still through wordpress. Just check in your dashboard because the link that comes up under your name, like what I see, is the one that is “closed”.
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Everyone deserves at least one great teacher in their life- I can only imagine how many of your former students know that great teacher was you!
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I hope they all know that I tried to be that one!
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Your students were lucky to have you as their teacher.
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Thank you
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You should be proud. Admitting that you don’t know everything was the most poignant lesson you offered. Bravo!
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I never was one for making up stories!
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