Bric Slade TC: Chapter 9

Bric Slade TC: Chapter 9

Summary: Great teachers come with four key virtues in common. The first is that they realize that everyone is the same. They realize this principle of working in the sweet spot to improve skill and that just because they know a lot, it doesn't mean they are better than their students because who is to say they can't reach the same potential as the teacher at some point in their lives. Incredible skills take time and if you put the time and energy into it, you had better be that good. Its the Matrix of life we all live in. Anyone can do whatever the heck they want. Secondly, they are perceptive. Sure they may have vast stores of knowledge, but since everyone learns differently they don't need to impart every specific detail to their students in the same rote order. They Perceive struggle, they acknowledge flaw, and they send sharp, pointed messages to their students on how to improve. They offer praise where it is earned and offer suggestion when improvement is available. "Available" is kind of a ambiguous word in this sense because improvement is always available, but immediately after praise is given for any reason, master teachers move on to the next thing, following that sweet spot, which just happens to be the third virtue. They are constantly giving direction on improvement because improvement is success. Even the smallest step towards mastery in a skill level is success. Lastly, master teachers use drama and character to reach their students more pointedly. They are ecstatic when a student is successful and devastated when a student doesn't even try. In the end the student decides how hard they are going to work. But you need to show them how much this skill means to you otherwise why are you teaching it?

Key Terms: Matrix, Perceptiveness,  GPS Reflex, Theatrical Honesty, flexible circuit skills, consistent circuit skills

Key Concepts: Humility, Perceptiveness, and theatrical motivation are keys to becoming a master teacher.

Connections: I have to constantly remind myself that the most important thing I can impart to my students is my love of whatever it is I am teaching. Becoming a model for motivation is essentially the best thing I can do and then constantly teaching to the needs of my students specifically.