TLDR;
The speaker discusses the importance of listening to students to understand what makes a good teacher great. They share anecdotes and insights gathered from 26,000 student responses across various schools. The speaker emphasizes that schools often avoid asking students for feedback due to fear, but by truly listening, educators can transform schools and education.
- Students want teachers to be learners alongside them.
- Great teachers connect with students beyond the classroom.
- Listening is a crucial skill that is often overlooked in education.
The Question and the Fear [0:17]
The speaker is fascinated by the question of what makes a good teacher great and has collected 26,000 responses from students in various schools. Despite 24 years of teaching, the speaker remains perplexed by the question. Schools are often afraid to ask this question because they don't take kids seriously.
Eating Apples: A Symbol of Connection [1:22]
One profound answer the speaker received was "A great teacher eats apples." Initially dismissing it as silly, the speaker noticed it appearing frequently. The speaker started eating apples in front of students and realized that the apple symbolized the relationship between the teacher and students, representing a willingness to receive a gift from them, signifying goodness and trust.
Understanding Student Language [2:35]
Students have their own language and ways of thinking. For example, when students say "A great teacher is chill," they mean teachers should be calm and not get overwhelmed. Kids want adults to understand their perspective but also want them to provide safety and protection. Adults often don't take the time to listen and understand students' communication.
Teachers as Learners [4:28]
A common response to what makes a good teacher great is that "A great teacher loves to teach," followed by "A great teacher loves to learn." Students want to see teachers learning alongside them, but they often don't. Schools typically hire teachers as content experts rather than learners. Teachers should show up in the classroom ready to learn with their students.
Beyond the Classroom [5:43]
Students believe that "A great teacher isn't a teacher" in the traditional classroom sense. Enduring understanding comes from experiences outside the classroom, like learning to ride a bike. The speaker contrasts learning to ride a bike through experience versus a classroom setting, where it would involve lectures, research papers, and exams. This illustrates how traditional teaching methods can be ineffective and disengaging.
Yvette's Story: Understanding Students' Lives [8:02]
Students want teachers to understand they have lives outside of school. The speaker shares a story about a student named Yvette, who had a tough exterior and stopped turning in homework. The speaker learned that Yvette's electricity was turned off, making it difficult for her to do homework. This experience taught the speaker the importance of listening and understanding students' struggles.
The Teacher Sings [10:43]
The speaker shares a story about the response "A great teacher sings," which they found perplexing. After a student named Danny submitted this response, the speaker decided to sing the daily agenda in an operatic style. The students responded with cheers and a standing ovation. This taught the speaker that great teachers make themselves humble, take risks, and trust their students.
The Importance of Listening [12:42]
The speaker suggests hiring teachers who deeply understand students rather than just content. Despite spending years teaching students to read and write, schools dedicate virtually no time to formal listening instruction. Listening is a crucial skill for business and life, yet it is often overlooked in education. By listening to students, we can transform schools and education.