The TEACHER , the Decisive Element in the Classroom

           The STUDENT , whose life is touched forever
 

  GIVE THEM TIME

"I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom...
It is my personal approach that creates the climate.
It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
As a teacher I possess tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous.
I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or
de-humanized. "

                                                                            H. Ginott
 

YES , this is THE TEACHER ! He is really the child’s third parent .
This child who is "like wet cement ; whatever falls on him makes an impression ."

If teachers have so much power , such a critical role , then hadn’t we better examine what they really need to do a good job , and give it to them , instead of ONLY requiring things ?

Let’s not forget that we are preparing our students for the 21st century where "Standing Still is Falling Behind ", where there are unprecedented social changes and technological innovations .

In this article , even though I will start with whatever is required of teachers , my main objective is to show the importance of Reducing Class Size and of Giving Teachers the Professional Time and Opportunities they need to do their jobs , "to be the most informed , the most capable , and the most inspiring classroom leaders possible ."(U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley )