Authenticity in the Classroom

Authenticity - It is "the quality or condition of being authentic, trustworthy, or genuine" according to Answers.com.  Authenticity in the classroom is an issue that has to be handled with great care and consideration.  Teachers need to know the limits of authenticity are, when it is appropriate to be used, and when it should be avoided.  As a teacher, one needs to know not only their limits for authenticity, but their students, as well.  The amount of authenticity shown in a classroom can enhance or diminish students learning experience.
   In the classroom, a lack of authenticity can be very apparent, especially if the teacher is attempting to fake their way through a class.  In high school, I had a new biology teacher who was not a very good teacher.  To cover over this handicap, she kept her classroom in a state on chaos and dishevelment which made it impossible to learn anything.  The majority of class time was spent mindlessly filling printed notes from PowerPoint presentations and coloring in pictures of cells and plants.  This teacher's attempts to keep the students busy and hide her inability to teach the class' material was very transparent to the students.  As a result, I cannot remember learning anything of substance in that class and just spend mindless days filling in blanks on worksheets and coloring in pictures.  For this teacher, the lack of authenticity expressed to the students was taken advantage of and the entire class suffered.
   On the other hand, one of my Theology teachers in college would not tell us his religious beliefs until the end of the class.  The class was all about the Reformation and a large portion of the class was devoted to class discussion.  Instead of putting in his two cents on every discussion topic, he let his students debate and discuss the topics for the class.  By withholding his personal views he allowed for more openness among students during their conversations and avoided silencing some students for fear of earning the professor's disapproval.  Another situation that this would apply to is a United States History of Political Science course.  Teachers in these subjects should make should to check their personal opinions at the door.  Their job is not to tell students what they think, but rather give students the tools and resources to make up their own minds.  There is a place to share personal beliefs and opinions about topics like this, but the classroom is not one of them.  Teachers need to do all in their power not to discourage one single student from learning what they need to succeed and form their own ideas and opinions that with shape their lives.
   If a teachers seems fake of unauthentic towards students, the students, especially the younger or middle aged students, will take advantage of their teachers suspected weakness and use it to their advantage for disruption and chaos.  In addition to this, a lack of authenticity can destroy any sense of trust that might exist between teachers and their students.  Without this sense of trust, students may be less motivated to learn, ask questions, or even trust what their teachers are teaching them.  To achieve an appropriate level of authenticity in the classroom, teachers should know what is appropriate to share in the classroom and what is not, always remembering to engage their students in their learning, not doing anything to distract of hamper that all important part of education.

Compassion and its Role in Teaching

    Compassion is an important quality for a good teacher to possess.  Teacher's need to be able to work with students and understand the difficulties different students might be facing in and outside of their studies.  Compassion can be more concrete, such as help and guidance through a tough class or it can be more subtle, like the teachers who get to know their students and can work with each of their individual needs.  All students, even the most studious can have an off day and it takes a really understanding and compassionate teacher to understand and work with each and every student equally.
    I cannot think of any of my teachers who ever showed the obvious sort of compassion, but I have had quite a few who have showed the more subtle type.  One of the most vivid memories from all my High School classes was the day after a Conference Track Meet.  The team had been gone very late and most of them had not been able to study properly or get adequate sleep.  Because of the high number of track athletes in the class, my teacher gave them the option to take the test during class, or to come in and take it before school the following day.  My teacher sacrificed his morning to come in and allow the track athletes to take their test so he was not setting them up for failure.  While this action might not apply in all circumstances,

Ed Psych (The First Blog) - Teacher's Dispositions

"Teachers are one of the main pillars of a sound and progressive society" (http://www.teachersfirst.nl/Teaching/TheImportanceofTeachers/tabid/236/Default.aspx).  This important profession, has many factors which must come together to make a truly successful teacher, and is one of the main parts of an advanced society.  Someone's disposition is one of the most important parts of the achievement of success of education.  Disposition involves ones attitudes, beliefs, and values towards a particular topic, a teacher's attitude being directed towards students education.  Respect, patience, responsibility, leadership, forgiveness, and many more things can impact the way a teacher teaches and the impact taught material will have on their students.  A teacher should have a disposition which fosters learning in a good, structured environment, while at the same time is fluid, being able to mold itself to the specific learning needs of each individual class and student.