my research
Over the course of the year in my mentorship, I researched many points of view and facts regarding teachers and their impact on students. I found the following data:
My abstract
Here is the link to my abstract: I discussed the overall question of my research, what my research will show, and how it will benefit in the future.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TT-6Ow-GkydsI9evkhUcPoTC7Sw6pnN5g7X-abVKkxg/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TT-6Ow-GkydsI9evkhUcPoTC7Sw6pnN5g7X-abVKkxg/edit?usp=sharing
the interview
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-wlLWagfLFi9rn1UhfjAGKaJidtOVUIforreenbnXN4/edit?usp=sharing
I conducted an interview with my mentor, Ms. Linda Arsenault, to dive into the world of teaching and her opinions on the impact of teachers. She stated a few important things regarding teacher quality and their impact on students:
I conducted an interview with my mentor, Ms. Linda Arsenault, to dive into the world of teaching and her opinions on the impact of teachers. She stated a few important things regarding teacher quality and their impact on students:
- Is it specifically important for the development of middle school aged students to have well trained, quality teachers?
- I think that you can be trained in the content all you want, but you have to understand how middle schoolers think. (Quality isn't based solely on knowledge in a subject.)
- What factors go into producing an effective, quality teacher?
- First of all, knowing the content, and knowing how to manage a classroom. Knowing how to not just make it all about content, but getting to know the students. They get more into your content when you seem like a real person to them.
- How could school systems better equip teachers for their careers and classroom management?
- Put them in the classroom more, during their student teaching. Giving them more practice in the classroom. Teach them the strategies, but give them more time in the classroom to implement those strategies.
- How can teachers have an impact on students’ lives?
- I think one way is to be enthusiastic about what we teach, but also remember that they're real people, and to show them that we're real people. First, show them that we care. You have to have rules, and you have to have structure, but make sure that a teacher shows that they care.
Annotated bibliographies
Annotated Bibliography 1:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xluyVxyu9t2K6wbKPAPbSUq6vQO4t0BkJv-mi8GLsiA/edit?usp=sharing
Annotated Bibliography 2:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Oq6_uPDJb-COeT-ExTaxiVZRur32ia1tmmHjHJ3yDhA/edit?usp=sharing
Annotated Bibliography 3:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16AX4CPHZyjdkQ1sOycbmoxeRAtpf8AaWzRTdtrHvwGQ/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xluyVxyu9t2K6wbKPAPbSUq6vQO4t0BkJv-mi8GLsiA/edit?usp=sharing
- My first annotated bibliography discussed an article entitled "Be Impassioned About Your Profession." It discussed the importance of passion while teaching, and how it can impact other students to pursue their desired career. This author used a personal testimony to describe the impact that his teachers had on him. While he was experiencing tough circumstances at homes, his teachers provided a source of encouragement that motivated him to pursue a career in education. The impact is clear: his teachers encouraged him to recognize his potential for success, despite his difficult circumstances.
Annotated Bibliography 2:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Oq6_uPDJb-COeT-ExTaxiVZRur32ia1tmmHjHJ3yDhA/edit?usp=sharing
- Research shows that there is a correlation between student achievement and teacher quality. Basically, the higher qualified the teacher, the greater effect on students and the school system in general. This article also mentioned ways (based on research) to increase teacher quality in order to have a greater impact; including, strong initial preparation, good working conditions, and quality professional development.
Annotated Bibliography 3:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16AX4CPHZyjdkQ1sOycbmoxeRAtpf8AaWzRTdtrHvwGQ/edit?usp=sharing
- My final annotated bibliography consists of a study done by professors from Harvard. This study shows the effects of teacher efficacy (the ability to produce a desired or intended result) on students and school achievement. Simply put, this study found that the higher the efficacy of a teacher, the greater school achievement. (Basically, the higher quality they are, the greater school achievement.) Clearly, the impact of teachers can be seen, even on a schoolwide level.
Written research
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Qk5YswECAUtEWJdZ5_NX8TMAsmge0f1Szl88L2J_k8I/edit?usp=sharing
My written research came from the novel Tuesday's With Morrie, consisting mainly of quotes related to my topic.
My written research came from the novel Tuesday's With Morrie, consisting mainly of quotes related to my topic.
- ”Death ends a life, not a relationship.”
- This applies to the field of education and the impact of teachers on students, because although a teacher and student aren’t being separated by death, the student will be moving on to the next grade level, and the relationship that the teacher formed with that student will not be lost or forgotten. The impact that the teacher had on the student will only contribute to the student’s perspectives and experiences, and possibly affect their rate of success or their desire for a future career.
- “Still, despite their circumstances, Morrie was taught to love and to care. And to learn. Eva would accept nothing less than excellence in school, because she saw education as the only antidote to their poverty.”
- This quote represents a major goal of education. Education is in place to not only produce people who are knowledgeable and productive, but to ensure a successful future. This quote really represents how a teacher can be so critical in one’s journey to a better future. Without a well-trained, quality teacher, it can be so difficult for a student to be successful in school. Without these teachers, it would be almost entirely impossible to produce a generation to work in the future. However, the impact can be great on a student when a teacher is high quality. Then, the quality of their education increases, only furthering their chances to succeed in school, and their future.
- “Have you ever really had a teacher? One who saw you as a rare but precious thing, a jewel that, with wisdom, could be polished to a proud shine?”
- This quote honestly sums up everything it means to be a teacher and the impact that teachers can have. This not only goes to show that teachers can impactfully mold a student, but they can really positively affect their potential for the future. It shows that a teacher can uncover endless possibilities for success that might not have been noticed before, and this could make the difference in a student’s determination in life.
my survey
I made a survey regarding school experience and teacher quality. The results clearly prove the great impact of teachers, including personal testimonies of this impact.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/summary/jSaamo75FycSKxG0iaOXRCkajtww3JabnLKHQXh5SEfBkCC4nJZILdRkNOsG5QUn
https://www.surveymonkey.com/summary/jSaamo75FycSKxG0iaOXRCkajtww3JabnLKHQXh5SEfBkCC4nJZILdRkNOsG5QUn
analysis
Overall, this research represents the fact that teachers can have an incredible influence on students. This research provided factual evidence, experience, and testimonies to explain this influence. Finally, this not only can go to show the importance of teachers on the futures of the current generation, and also shows the ability they have to drastically change the future.