Australia celebrates World Teachers Day this Oct 26, but any day is a good one to praise a former (or current) teacher for good teaching. Teachers rarely hear that their efforts have made a lasting impact. I remember best the teachers who saw promise in me, who opened new vistas for me, or who set good models for me. For instance, a new teacher, Mr. Quick, taught my primary school class about car engines ? he even took us out to look at an engine. His enthusiasm for teaching was contagious. A high school English teacher, Mr. Dubin, praised my creative writing. That was about a year after he had been severely beaten by a shockingly aggressive student at the school. Gentle Mr. Dubin took boxing lessons after his beating so he could defend himself, but he kept on teaching like a champ. At my university, a public speaking professor made me give one more speech than I thought was required by the syllabus. Because I was anxious about public speaking, I felt angry about that. That anger replaced my anxiety (I refused to care much about how well I did), and I have never felt anxious about public speaking since then. He did the right thing for me! I could go on about law and clinical psychology instructors who set good models in their patient, professional manner, but I won?t. These good men and women showed me many things, including how to teach effectively. I have used the lessons in the classroom and with my own children. I thanked one years later. Maybe it is time to thank another?
Did some teacher have a lasting positive effect on you? Which teacher? What was the effect? Did you ever say thanks? Reinforcement in the form of praise can be powerful.
John Malouff, PhD, JD
Assoc Prof of Psychology
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